Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. It is also the most common cause of cancer death in the United States.
As discussed in the book "Clinical Oncology," surgery is one of the main treatment options for lung cancer. There are three types of surgery for lung cancer: segmentectomy, lobectomy and pneumonectomy. Segmentectomy is the removal of a small piece of lung that contains the cancer. Lobectomy is the removal of the entire lobe of the lung that has the cancer. Pneumonectomy is the most extensive lung surgery, involving the removal of the entire lung that contains the cancer.
Minor Complications
Minor, non-life threatening complications include prolonged air leak in the lung, infection, pain in chest wall, atelectasis (collapse of a part of the lung), insufficient wound healing and obstructive symptoms. These minor complications occur in 22 percent of patients who had lung cancer surgery, according to a 2001 study published in "European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery."
Most patients will suffer from air leak after lung cancer surgery. These leaks often heal in 3 to 5 days. Some patients may experience prolonged air leaks. According to Umgcc.org, prolonged air leak is the most common complication of lung cancer surgery, resulting in longer hospital stays for patients.
Major Complications
Lung cancer surgery may cause extensive damage to the lung and other nearby organs (e.g. the heart), and lead to life-threatening complications.
Major life-threatening complications of lung cancer surgery include heart attack, kidney failure, lung failure, stroke, bronchopleural fistula (communication between the pleural space and the bronchial tree in the lung), pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung), heart failure and need for blood transfusion.
Major complications occur in 8 to 9 percent of lung cancer surgeries, according to "European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery."
Death
The rate of post-operative mortality for lung cancer surgery (defined as death within 30 days of the surgery) is 3 to 5%, according to "Clinical Oncology." Patients undergoing pneumonectomy are at the highest risk for post-operative mortality. Older patients are more likely to die from surgery than younger patients.
