During lung cancer surgery, the entire tumor and the regional lymph nodes are removed if possible. In principle, surgery is still the most promising treatment for bronchial carcinoma - however, it can only be performed in around a third of patients.
Read more about the indications for lung cancer surgery, how it is performed and the follow-up period after treatment.
Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. If left untreated, it will sooner or later lead to death.
Lung cancer is actually an umbrella term. Strictly speaking, the vast majority of patients suffer from bronchial carcinomas. These tumors originate from the bronchi within the lungs.
A further distinction within the group of lung carcinomas is crucial for treatment planning:
Surgical lung cancer treatment is the treatment of choice, especially in the early stages (up to stage IIIA) of non-small cell lung cancer. Unfortunately, in most patients the cancer is already too advanced for lung cancer surgery.
Lung cancer often causes no symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, most patients only come to the doctor when the cancer is more advanced. Lung cancer surgery is then no longer performed, but the patient is treated with chemotherapy and possibly radiotherapy.
Small cell bronchial carcinomas are even less frequently operated on: Surgery is only an option in very early stages. They are particularly aggressive, grow very quickly and metastasize early. However, these cancer cells are considered to be particularly sensitive and therefore respond well to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
In addition to the type of cancer and its stage, the age and stage of the patient are also important when planning lung cancer treatment.
of the patient are also important. Surgery is only performed on a functioning lung and with a healthy heart. In some cases, additional radiotherapy or chemotherapy is recommended. Multimodal therapy concepts are becoming increasingly important.
Lung cancer surgery is considered the best treatment for lung cancer under certain conditions © yodiyim | AdobeStock
Lung cancer operations are performed by specialists in thoracic surgery.
Lung cancer surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes up to several hours, depending on the extent of the tumor. The chest (thorax) is usually opened surgically (thoracotomy) to remove the entire tumor with a margin and the regional lymph nodes.
In recent years, lung lobes have also been removed minimally invasively at an early stage of cancer. The method is called video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy or VATS lobectomy.
Despite careful diagnostics, it is often only possible to determine exactly how much tissue needs to be removed during the lung cancer operation. The removed tissue is subjected to a frozen section examination. Even an aborted operation cannot be ruled out, as the surgical procedure may turn out to be inappropriate.
The most common procedure nowadays is a lobectomy, i.e. the removal of one or two lobes of the lung. If two lobes of the lung are removed, this is also referred to as a bilobectomy.
Lobectomy is considered sufficient in the early stages. It is technically less complicated and has a lower mortality rate than pneumonectomy (removal of an entire lobe of the lung). This procedure is necessary in the case of large and/or centrally located tumors or the presence of multiple foci. Pneumonectomy can also be used if a tumor could not be completely removed by lobectomy.
In the case of very small and peripherally located carcinomas, sometimes only parts of the lobe are removed(wedge resection, segment resection). These procedures are less stressful lung cancer operations for the patient. They are therefore also suitable for patients with poor lung function or a poor general condition.
After open lung cancer surgery with thoracotomy (opening of the chest), intensive medical monitoring is required for a few hours or even days. Overall, the patient remains in hospital for at least two to three weeks for treatment. Consistent pain therapy must be administered.
Every removal of lung tissue means a reduction in the respiratory surface area. However, an otherwise healthy lung can at least compensate for this to a large extent within weeks or months.
After a pneumonectomy in particular, the patient's physical capacity is often greatly reduced for months after the operation.
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