Lung Cancer Surgery
Message from Dr. Ajay Simha
A diagnosis of lung cancer can be challenging for patients and their families. Concerns regarding treatment options, surgery, recovery, outcomes, and the road ahead are natural.
When lung cancer is suspected or diagnosed, a detailed evaluation is carried out to confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of the disease. A personalised treatment plan is then formulated based on the type and location of the tumour, stage of cancer, lymph node involvement, lung function, overall health, and individual treatment goals.
I am Dr. Ajay Simha, Consultant Surgical Oncologist (Cancer Surgeon), providing lung cancer care at Manipal Hospitals Sarjapur Road, Bengaluru. This page provides an overview of lung cancer, including its symptoms, evaluation, treatment options, and surgical approaches.
What Is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer develops when abnormal cells in the lungs begin to grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour. The lungs are essential organs responsible for breathing and supplying oxygen to the body.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
The symptoms of lung cancer may not always appear during the early stages. As the disease progresses, patients may experience respiratory symptoms or general changes in health.
Common signs and symptoms include:
- Persistent cough that does not improve
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Hoarseness of voice
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Persistent fatigue
- Bone pain in advanced stages
Any persistent respiratory symptoms or unusual changes should be evaluated by a specialist for proper diagnosis and timely treatment planning.
Evaluation of Lung Cancer
When lung cancer is suspected based on symptoms or clinical findings, a detailed evaluation is performed to confirm the diagnosis, determine the type of cancer, and assess the extent of disease.
The diagnostic process may include:
Biopsy
A biopsy involves collecting a tissue sample from the tumour to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of lung cancer.
Lung Function Tests
Pulmonary function tests help assess lung capacity and determine whether a patient is suitable for surgery.
Molecular Testing
Certain lung cancers may require genetic or biomarker testing to identify specific tumour characteristics and help guide targeted therapy and personalised treatment planning.
Treatment Options for Lung Cancer
Treatment for lung cancer depends on several factors, including the type of lung cancer, stage of disease, tumour location, lymph node involvement, genetic characteristics of the tumour, lung function, and the overall health condition of the patient.
Common treatment options include:
Surgery
Surgery is an important treatment option for selected lung cancer patients, particularly when the cancer is localized and can be completely removed. The main goal of lung cancer surgery is to remove the tumour along with surrounding tissues when required while preserving as much healthy lung function as possible.
Pneumonectomy
Pneumonectomy involves removing an entire lung affected by cancer. It may be considered in selected patients when the tumour is extensive and cannot be safely removed through smaller lung resections.
Before recommending pneumonectomy, a detailed assessment of heart function, lung capacity, overall health, and fitness for surgery is performed to help ensure surgical safety.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer medicines to destroy cancer cells or control their growth.
It may be recommended:
- Before surgery to reduce tumour size
- After surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells
- For advanced lung cancer management
The type and duration of chemotherapy depend on the type and stage of cancer, treatment response, and individual patient factors.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells.
It may be recommended:
- Along with chemotherapy for locally advanced lung cancer
- After surgery in selected high-risk cases
- As a treatment option when surgery is not suitable
- For symptom control in advanced disease
Radiation treatment planning is personalised based on tumour location, cancer stage, and individual treatment goals.
Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy
Some lung cancers have specific genetic changes that may respond to targeted therapies. Targeted therapy focuses on specific changes within cancer cells to control their growth.
Supportive Care
Nutritional support
Nutritional support is an important component of care for patients undergoing lung cancer surgery. Adequate nutritional supplementation helps maintain the patient’s strength, supports healing, and promotes recovery following surgery.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy plays an important role in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery. It helps improve respiratory function, prepare patients for surgery, promote recovery after surgery, and support patients in returning to their previous activities of daily living.
Surgical Approaches for Lung Cancer
The surgical approach for lung cancer is selected based on tumour characteristics, cancer stage, location and extent of disease, lung function, and individual patient requirements.
Wedge Resection
Wedge resection involves removing the tumour along with a small portion of surrounding healthy lung tissue. This approach may be considered for selected patients with small tumours or for patients in whom preservation of maximum lung function is important.
Lobectomy
Lobectomy involves removing the entire lobe of the lung affected by cancer. It is commonly performed for selected early-stage non-small cell lung cancers and aims to remove the tumour completely while preserving the remaining healthy lung tissue.
Dr. Ajay Simha is experienced in advanced lung cancer surgery, including appropriate lung resection procedures based on tumour characteristics, cancer stage, lung function, and individual patient requirements. The goal is always to achieve complete cancer removal while ensuring patient safety, surgical precision, preservation of healthy lung function, and optimal recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Early lung cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms. Common symptoms include persistent cough, chest discomfort, breathing difficulty, coughing blood, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.
Lung cancer diagnosis may involve imaging tests such as CT scans, PET-CT scans, bronchoscopy, biopsy, and lung function evaluation.
Surgery depends on factors such as cancer stage, tumour location, spread of disease, lung function, and overall health condition.
A lobectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the lung lobe containing the cancer along with nearby lymph nodes when required.
Lobectomy removes one lobe of the lung, while pneumonectomy involves removal of an entire lung affected by cancer.