Surgery

The goals of surgery in NSCLC can be

  • to remove the tumour(s) or
  • reduce pain/ease symptoms (this is called palliative surgery).

The size and location of the tumour, the functioning of your lungs and heart as well as your general health will help doctors determine if surgery is possible and, if so, the type of surgery.

Types of Lung Cancer Surgery

There are two types of surgery to remove lung cancer tumours.

  • Thoracotomy: A thoracotomy is the most common form of lung surgery. In this type of surgery, your surgeon will make a cut (incision) in between the ribs on the side of the chest. The ribs are then spread apart so the surgeon can access the lung.
  • Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS): VATS is a less invasive type of surgery. A small video camera and surgical tools are inserted through a few small cuts in the chest. The surgeon can then view the tumour(s) on a video screen. VATS can be used to remove small tumours (tumours that are 3 to 4 cm) found on the outer edges of the lung or part of a lung.

Types of Surgical Procedures

There are several different procedures that may be done to remove your tumour.

  • Lobectomy: This is when an entire lobe of the lung affected by cancer is removed. 
  • Bilobectomy: This is when two or three lobes of the lung are removed, and is only performed on the right lung
  • Sleeve Lobectomy: involves the removal of a tumour from the large airways. Imagine the airway as a shirtsleeve with a spot on it. Sleeve lobectomy removes the spot by cutting across the sleeve above and below the spot. The cut ends are then sown back together.
  • Segmentectomy (also called wedge resection): involves the removal of a part of a lobe. This procedure is used when the tumour is very small and has not spread.
  • Pneumonectomy: involves removal of the entire lung.

Possible Lung Cancer Surgery Risks and Side Effects

You may experience side effects from both the general anaesthesia used during the surgery and the surgery itself. Common side effects of anaesthesia include hoarseness (due to the breathing tube), nausea, vomiting, confusion, muscle aches and itchiness. Side effects of the surgery include: pain, collapsed lung, heart problems, fatigue and blood clots.

After Lung Cancer Surgery

Your healthcare team will encourage you to do deep breathing and coughing exercises. This may be difficult because of the pain following lung cancer surgery. However these exercises are an important part of recovery. Your healthcare team will likely also encourage you to get out of bed and walk as much as possible.