Surgery as a treatment option for general lung cancer works best when the Cancer or malignant tumor is in its early stages, usually in Stage I. In this article, we explore when having a surgery is the most effective and when it is the least effective, so that in case your medical doctor suggests you going through a surgery, you have some information to analyze. There are several things taken in to account to determine if surgery will be the proper treatment option for your level of lung cancer. These are:
i) Type of lung cancer – Surgery is usually effective on non small-cell lung cancer because it does not spread as fast as small cell lung cancer. Common good treatment options for small cell lung cancer include chemotherapy & radiation.
ii) Stage of lung cancer – Surgery is most effective for small cell lung cancer in Stages I, II or 3a. Stage 3b and 4 of small cell lung cancer is most commonly treated with radiation or chemotherapy treatments.
iii) Location of the Cancer – If malignant tumor is close to a vital organ of the body such as the heart, lymph nodes or the ribs, surgery will usually be the least prescribed treatment option because of the risks involved, especially with cancer cells residing so close to vital organs of the body.
iv) Your general health – Medical doctors will also look at the general health of your body including past medical conditions that you may have had to see if a surgical procedure is the right option for you.
Risks of lung cancer surgery include damage to the lungs or structures/organs around the lungs or damages from inserting the surgery equipment in to your body via an incision or cut, for instance an incision on your chest could damage your ribs. Medical doctors must go through and outline to you the risks involved in lung cancer surgery. The most common risks of lung cancer surgery include:
- Infections in the lungs or other parts of the body
- Bleeding around the chest or other areas
- Blood clots
- Damage to nearby organs such as the lymph nodes, chest or the heart
- Total collapse of a lung (this is known as pneumothorax).
- Bleeding around the chest or other areas
- Blood clots
- Damage to nearby organs such as the lymph nodes, chest or the heart
- Total collapse of a lung (this is known as pneumothorax).
Some cases of lung cancer surgery also lead to become traumatic pneumothorax which is similar to a gunshot or bullet hitting the lung and the lungs collapsing. If this happens, the patient will have to be rushed to the Operations theatre to help revive the lung via removal of pleural fluids or wounds from the chest area.
Questions to Ask your Doctor about Lung Cancer Surgery
- What are the changes that surgery will cure my lung cancer for good?
- Will my breathing get better or worse after lung cancer surgery?
- What side effects or complications could occur after surgery?
- How much time will I have to spend in the hospital and what are the associated costs?
- What type of surgery do you recommend for my lung cancer? Common options include Pneumonectomy, Wedge resection or Lobectomy.
- What alternative treatments to surgery are available for my case?
- How much pain will I have to suffer and for how long?
- Are there any pain management controls I could use after surgery?
- Will I need home-care or home stay after lung cancer surgery?
- Will my breathing get better or worse after lung cancer surgery?
- What side effects or complications could occur after surgery?
- How much time will I have to spend in the hospital and what are the associated costs?
- What type of surgery do you recommend for my lung cancer? Common options include Pneumonectomy, Wedge resection or Lobectomy.
- What alternative treatments to surgery are available for my case?
- How much pain will I have to suffer and for how long?
- Are there any pain management controls I could use after surgery?
- Will I need home-care or home stay after lung cancer surgery?