Lung Surgery

Picture of three types of lung surgery

Three types of lung surgery differ by how much lung tissue is removed.

  • Wedge resection (also called a segmentectomy): A wedge-shaped section of the affected lung is removed.
  • Lobectomy: The affected lobe of the lung is removed.
  • Pneumonectomy: The entire affected lung is removed.

Sometimes cancer grows in the bronchus, which is the part of the trachea (windpipe) that branches off into each lung. Surgery to remove part of the bronchus is called a sleeve resection.

ByHealthwise Staff

Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine

Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine

Specialist Medical ReviewerMichael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology

Current as ofMay 3, 2017

Current as of: May 3, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology