If it can be done, this is often the preferred type of operation for NSCLC. In this surgery, the entire lobe containing the tumor(s) is removed. Lobectomy: The lungs are made up of 5 lobes (3 on the right and 2 on the left).This might be needed if the tumor is close to the center of the chest. Pneumonectomy: This surgery removes an entire lung.These operations require general anesthesia (where you are in a deep sleep) and are usually done through a large surgical incision between the ribs in the side of the chest or the back (called a thoracotomy). With any of these operations, nearby lymph nodes are also removed to look for possible spread of the cancer. Types of lung surgeryĭifferent operations can be used to treat (and possibly cure) NSCLC. To learn more about these tests, see Tests for Lung Cancer. This is often done before surgery with mediastinoscopy or another technique. Your doctor will want to check if the cancer has already spread to the lymph nodes between the lungs.Tests will be done to check the function of your heart and other organs to be sure you’re healthy enough for surgery.Pulmonary function tests will be done to see if you would still have enough healthy lung tissue left after surgery.If your doctor thinks the cancer can be treated with surgery: Still, lung cancer surgery is a complex operation that can have serious consequences, so it should be done by a surgeon who has a lot of experience operating on lung cancers. It provides the best chance to cure the disease. Surgery to remove the cancer might be an option for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

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