| For some lung cancers in the early stages, an | | | | Depending on the location and size of the tumor |
| option that offers the best chance for a complete | | | | found, there are three main types of surgery |
| recovery is surgery. Medical literature has shown | | | | that are used. |
| this to be true when a patient is diagnosed with | | | | If it has been found in it's early stage and is |
| non-small cell cancer and the detection is made in | | | | confined to a very small portion of the lung, an |
| the early stages and the tumor is small and no | | | | oncologist may perform a 'lung resection' or a |
| evidence is present that it has spread to any | | | | 'segmentectomy'. During each of those surgeries |
| other organ systems, if surgery is used to | | | | the doctor removes a small section of one lung, |
| remove the tumor, the patient has up to an 80% | | | | the area where the cancerous cells have been |
| chance of passing the five year survival mark. | | | | detected. If it's determined that it may have |
| Surgery is recommended for some but not | | | | invaded the nearby cells though, the doctor will |
| others - why? Surgical treatment is normally | | | | then use more radical surgeries. |
| recommended for non-small cell cancers, especially | | | | The removal of one or more lobes of the lung, |
| in the early stages. Surgery MAY be | | | | but not the entire organ, is called a 'lobectomy'. If |
| recommended for small cell IF it's diagnosed in the | | | | the thoracic surgeon believes that only part of it |
| earliest stages. The reason for this is because | | | | is affected and that it has not spread to the |
| most small cell is seldom diagnosed before it's | | | | entire organ, the surgeon will opt for a lobectomy. |
| already begun to spread to other parts of the | | | | However, if it is believed the entire lung may be |
| body. | | | | involved, he may then choose to do a |
| On the other hand, non-small cell does not spread | | | | pneumonectomy. A 'pneumonectomy' is the |
| as fast or as virulently. Non-small cell tends to | | | | removal of the entire lung. Prior to this surgery, |
| localize into one spot, therefore, there is a greater | | | | the doctor will perform tests to be sure that the |
| chance that surgery can remove all the cancer in | | | | remaining lung will be capable of supporting your |
| one surgery. | | | | needs for oxygen before doing a complete |
| Depending on where the tumor is located is how | | | | pneumonectomy. |
| the decision is formed as to whether or not | | | | Surgery is a very invasive treatment and is not |
| surgery is appropriate. If it is located too close to | | | | the treatment of choice for most cancers. |
| the heart, the windpipe, major blood vessels or | | | | Doctors will only attempt surgery if there is a |
| other major organs, the risks and dangers are | | | | chance that it will remove it in its entirety. If it |
| much greater if surgery is attempted. In these | | | | has advanced beyond a small portion, or it's fast |
| cases your doctor may recommend radiation or | | | | spreading, then surgery to remove it does not |
| chemotherapy to shrink and kill the cancerous | | | | make any sense. In these instances, radiology, |
| cells. | | | | chemotherapy or some other type of treatment |
| The different kinds of surgery for treatment. | | | | would be a more reasonable alternative. |