From A "Spot" in the Lung to Lung Cancer

Lung nodules have always been a diagnostic challenge as they may be a benign process or cancer.  Resection of a benign nodule for diagnosis underscores the need for use of a minimally invasive approach to minimize perioperative pain and facilitate a rapid recovery.  Extension of the use of minimally invasive procedures for resection of a cancerous tumor would logically follow

Surgically treatable lung cancer often presents without symptoms and is found incidentally.   With time, it grows and can spread to lymph nodes and other organs. The cases in which surgical resection impacts survival are the earlier stages which are amenable to a minimally invasive approach.  The adjunctive use of preoperative imaging technology as with a PET scan facilitates the identification of advanced disease lowering the incidence of surgery performed for advanced stages.  A small incision and avoidance of spreading of the ribs facilitate a rapid recovery and minimizes pain and morbidity that was previously associated with open surgery yet allows fulfillment of the requirements of a cancer operation.