Surgical oncology
Lung cancer surgery
Removal of the affected part of the lung, where the stage allows it and lung function is sufficient. Many lung cancers are treated without surgery.
In plain language
What this operation is
Lung cancer commonly presents with a cough that persists or changes, coughing blood, breathlessness, chest pain, or unexplained weight loss. A long-standing smoker with a new or changed cough is the classic picture, though lung cancer also occurs in people who have never smoked.
Two things decide whether surgery is possible. The first is stage — whether the cancer is confined to a part of the lung that can be removed. The second is lung function: enough working lung has to remain afterwards, which is why breathing tests are part of the assessment.
A large proportion of lung cancers are treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or targeted therapy rather than surgery. That is not a lesser option — it is the correct treatment for that stage.
Who it is for
When this operation is advised
- A cough that persists or changes over weeks
- Coughing blood
- A lung mass or nodule found on chest X-ray or CT
- Unexplained breathlessness or weight loss
And when it is not. Surgery is appropriate only for disease confined enough to be removed, in someone whose lung function can tolerate it. Where either does not hold, other treatments are the right route.
How it works
From assessment to follow-up
-
01
First consultation
History, examination and review of every report and film you already have. Bring the actual films, not only the printed summaries.
-
02
Diagnosis and staging
Biopsy confirms the diagnosis; imaging establishes how far the disease has gone. No treatment plan is made before this.
-
03
The plan
Whether surgery is the right step, and in what order relative to chemotherapy or radiotherapy — agreed with you before anything is booked.
-
04
Treatment and follow-up
The operation where appropriate, then the pathology report, and continuing follow-up.
Afterwards
What recovery involves
Recovery differs between patients. What follows is what usually happens — your own timeframe is given at discharge, based on the operation you actually had.
- Recovery depends on the operation performed and on your general health.
- A written discharge plan, wound-care guidance and a follow-up appointment are given before you leave.
- The pathology report usually takes some days and is discussed with you at follow-up.
- Whether further treatment is advised is decided once that report is available.
When to go to hospital instead
Coughing large amounts of blood, sudden severe breathlessness, or severe chest pain needs emergency care immediately.
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Anything not covered here can be answered at the consultation.
01 Can lung cancer be operated on?
Some can. It depends on the stage — whether the disease is confined to a removable part of the lung — and on whether lung function is good enough to manage with less lung afterwards. Both are assessed before any plan.
Operability02 Why are breathing tests needed before surgery?
Because part of the lung will be removed, and enough working lung must remain. The tests establish whether that is safe for you.
Assessment03 I never smoked. Can I still get lung cancer?
Yes. Smoking is the largest risk factor by far, but lung cancer does occur in people who have never smoked, which is why persistent symptoms should be investigated regardless.
RiskNext step
Bring your reports to a consultation
Often one visit is enough to know whether an operation is needed at all.