09/25/2021
Lung Nodules and Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in both men and women. Cigarette smoking is the principal risk factor for development of lung cancer. Most lung cancer can be categorized as non-small cell (NSCLC). Only 15% are small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Lung cancer usually starts as a small lung nodule, which are often detected on CT scan of the chest. A thoracic surgeon, or another competent physician must follow up patients with known lung nodules. Such nodule sometimes will need to be biopsied depending upon their rate of growth. On other occasions, the cancer is detected when patients become symptomatic, typical symptoms being cough and pneumonia. Once cancer is detected, it can be categorized from stage I to IV.
Stage I and II and some of III can be treated with surgical excision. Stage III and IV are not amenable to surgical resection and require chemotherapy and radiation. Surgical resection in the form of lobectomy is the best curative option. Patient referred from pulmonary physician to oncologist have already missed their golden chance for surgical resection. Therefore early detection and strict follow up of the lung nodule is mandatory.
Lobectomy remains the most commonly performed surgery for Stage I and II lung cancer. A lobectomy can be performed through open thoracotomy, Video-thoracoscopically or with the use of a robot. Lobectomy is a complex surgery due extreme variation in the lung anatomy. To minimize the complications, an experienced thoracic surgeon must perform lobectomy.
