Language
Country/Area
No result found
Lung cancer surgery: Why is lobectomy still the most common treatment?
In the fight against lung cancer, lobectomy remains one of the most common and recommended treatments. This surgery not only effectively removes cancerous tissue, but also preserves the patient's other lung functions. With the advancement of technology and the improvement of surgical methods, the effectiveness and safety of lobectomy have been further enhanced.
Lobectomy is the standard procedure for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is considered the most effective treatment for patients with early-stage lung cancer.
Lung cancer can be broadly divided into two types: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for the vast majority of lung cancer cases, and lobectomy is particularly effective for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. This is because in the early stages, when cancer cells usually have not yet spread, surgery can completely remove the cancerous lung tissue, giving patients a better chance of survival.
With the advent of new technologies, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), the invasiveness of lobectomy has been greatly reduced. This type of technology uses small, high-resolution cameras to perform surgery, allowing surgeons to perform precise operations without the need for large incisions.
This results in significantly shorter recovery times and reduced hospital stays.
In addition, for patients with highly aggressive small cell lung cancer, the choice of lobectomy should also be carefully considered. Although small cell lung cancer responds well to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the need for surgery may vary depending on the patient's situation if the tumor has already expanded locally.
Detailed procedures for lobectomy
During a lobectomy, the surgeon visualizes the lobe of the lung that they wish to remove, usually through open surgery or thoracoscopy. After confirming that there is no metastasis of cancer cells in the surrounding lymph nodes, the doctor will cut the blood vessels and bronchi in sections through a large incision, and finally remove the affected lobe.
After surgery, surrounding lymph nodes will be further examined to ensure there is no evidence of metastasis.
Potential surgical risks and complications
Although lobectomy is widely used to treat lung cancer, this surgery still carries certain risks. The most common complications include lung infection, bleeding, and decreased lung function. For some patients, even during recovery from surgery, they may develop heart arrhythmias or other cardiopulmonary problems.
To reduce the risk, surgeons conduct a detailed assessment before surgery, including lung function tests and heart examinations, to ensure the patient can withstand the stress of surgery.
Future Development Direction
With the continuous advancement of medical technology, a new generation of surgical tools and technologies such as robotic surgery are further changing the surgical methods for lung cancer. These technologies not only improve surgical precision, but also reduce surgical trauma to patients and promote recovery. Therefore, the next few years will continue to witness significant progress in lung cancer surgery.
In short, lobectomy, as one of the most common ways to treat lung cancer, still occupies a so-called position in today's medical system. With the development of new technologies, the safety and effectiveness of this operation are expected to be further improved. However, what we should think about is, in this ever-improving medical context, what will the future treatment of lung cancer look like?
