Treatment Options

There are different treatment options for lung cancer.  Surgery can often be an option for early-stage NSCLC since it can offer the best chance to cure the disease.  Our thoracic surgeons are experts in surgical techniques for lung cancer, including:

Pneumonectomy – removal of an entire lung
Lobectomy – removal of an entire lobe, or section, of the lung
Segmentectomy or wedge restriction – partial removal of a lobe
Sleeve resection – removal of cancerous cells or tumor in the main bronchus. The ends of the bronchus are rejoined and remaining lobes are attached.
Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) or thoracoscopy – uses a thin flexible tube with a light and camera on the end to remove small lung cancers, or remove fluid around the lungs.
Robotically-Assisted thoracic surgery – similar to a thoracoscopy though instead uses a robotic machine and control panel in the operating room

The type of surgery performed depends on the recommendations made by the team of doctors treating the patient.  Size and location of the cancer, lung function, age, and lifestyle of the patient are all factors considered when deciding on surgical care and treatment.