Abnormal cell growth in an uncontrolled manner in the lungs leads to lung cancer. There are two main types of lung cancers: small cell carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small carcinoma (NSCLC). NSCLC is the more common type of lung cancer that grows slowly, whereas SCLC is less common but proliferates.
Among the various treatment procedures available for treating lung cancer, surgery plays the most crucial role, especially for a non-invasive cancer localised to the lungs. Being informed about the surgery procedure, recovery process, and potential side effects related to lung cancer surgery prepares the patients to navigate through their challenging journey.

Types of Lung Cancer Surgeries

The purpose of lung cancer surgery is to remove the tumour and any affected tissue surrounding the tumour while preserving lung function to the greatest extent possible. Type surgery depends on factors such as the size and location of the tumour, as well as the overall health of the patient. Different types of lung cancer surgery include -

Lobectomy - The most common type of surgery done to treat lung cancer is lobectomy. It is usually performed when the tumour is confined to a single lobe. Under lobectomy, an entire lobe of the lung affected by cancer is removed.

Segmentectomy - Segmentectomy or segmental resection surgery involves the removal of a larger lung portion than wedge resection but smaller than the entire lobe.

Wedge Resection - Wedge resection surgery involves the removal of the cancerous tumour and the wedge-shaped portion of the lung that surrounds it.

Pneumonectomy - For tumours located centrally within the lung, pneumonectomy is recommended. This surgery involves removing the entire lung.

Minimally Invasive Techniques – with the advancement in surgical techniques, minimally invasive surgery options are available to treat lung cancer. These techniques require smaller incisions, thus making the recovery faster than traditional open surgeries. Some of these techniques include.

Thoracoscopic surgery - This is a video-assisted surgical technique. A small incision is made to insert a camera, and small surgical tools are used to remove the tumour.
Robotic surgery - As the name suggests, it is a robotic-assisted surgery. It requires four or five tiny incisions to be made. The surgeon operates to remove the tumour using robotic arms.
Ablation - This technique uses a small probe or needle through a small incision at the targeted place where the tumour is localised. This probe or needle then uses the heat or cold mechanisms to destroy the cancerous tissues.

Procedure Details

Your doctor or healthcare provider decides the type of surgical approach to adopt based on the size, location of the tumour and the patient's fitness. Similarly, the procedure varies on the type of surgery. General steps involved with lung cancer surgery include -

Preoperative Evaluation - The process begins with preoperative evaluation to assess the overall health of the patient and the extent of the cancer. The tests might include blood tests, imaging scans, and pulmonary function tests.

Anaesthesia - On the day of the surgery, in the operation room, the first step is to put the patient under general anaesthesia to ensure they are unconscious and the entire procedure is pain-free for you.

Surgical Technique Selection - The surgeon selects the most suitable surgical technique, either a traditional thoracotomy or a minimally invasive VATS procedure. They remove the tumour and the affected tissues, if any, and may also remove lymph nodes to sample to assess the cancer spread.

Close Monitoring - Post-surgery, patients are closely monitored and have to spend several days in the hospital, where they receive pain management, respiratory therapy, and other supportive care.

Once the patient is stabilised enough to be discharged, the patients are provided with home care instructions, including the medications, nutrition, monitoring the progress of the cancer and discussing further treatment with follow-up appointments.

Recovery Process from Lung Cancer Surgery

The recovery process from lung cancer surgery involves several stages aimed at restoring health and well-being. Initially, patients may experience discomfort, fatigue, and respiratory challenges as the body adjusts to changes post-surgery. Close monitoring by healthcare professionals, pain management and respiratory exercises helps mitigate discomfort and promote healing. Gradually, patients regain strength through physical therapy and rehabilitative measures. Emotional support and counselling play a crucial role in coping with the psychological impact of surgery. With time and dedication to follow-up care, individuals can achieve optimal recovery, improving quality of life and overall prognosis.

Potential Side Effects From the Surgery - The potential side effects of lung cancer surgery primarily depend on the surgical procedure adopted. However, in general, there are some side effects that one experiences post-lung cancer surgery. Some of them are listed below:

Pain and Discomfort- Patients are bound to experience pain and discomfort after lung cancer surgery at the incision site and in the chest areas. This discomfort and pain may last for several weeks or months.

Breathlessness - Another common side effect of lung cancer surgery is breathlessness. Patients experience breathlessness, especially when a significant portion of the lung tissue is removed during the surgery.

Infection - Not just lung cancer surgery, but any surgery that involves a portion of your body being exposed increases the risk of infection and thus is a potential complication after any surgical process. Fever, increased pain at the surgical site, redness, swelling, or drainage of pus are some indicative symptoms of infection.

Bleeding - The probability of bleeding is most probable during the procedures that involve removing a significant portion of lung tissues. In case of excessive bleeding, additional interventions might be needed, such as blood transfusions or opening the surgical site again to explore and control the bleeding vessels.

Blood clots - As a part of the healing process, there is reduced mobility in the patients, which can lead to the formation of blood clots after lung cancer surgery.

Pneumothorax - A potential complication of lung cancer surgery is pneumothorax, also known as a collapsed lung. It happens when air leaks into the space between the lung and the chest wall.

Conclusion

Lung cancer surgery is a critical element of the treatment approach for lung cancer. Understanding the types and procedures of lung cancer surgeries, what to expect from the recovery process, and potential side effects helps the patients to be mentally prepared for the journey ahead and to make informed decisions about the best care for them. Collaborating with surgeons, oncologists, and support care providers and having a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals will help you achieve the best possible outcome from the treatment and improve the overall quality of life post-lung cancer surgery.

Sources:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer?gclid=CjwKCAiA2pyuBhBKEiwApLaIOxnaCUXZf_TObb4yBZpvxePBurAYRMiiXU4tiDpb4A6M0kjLahekoRoCfOwQAvD_BwE
https://cancerblog.mayoclinic.org/2023/02/16/lung-cancer-surgery-types-recovery-and-survivorship/
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/treatment/types-of-treatment/lung-cancer-surgery
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/lung-cancer/treatment/surgery/possible-problems