What are the surgical options for non-small cell lung cancer?

Surgery for NSCLC: Curative surgery for lung cancer is based currently on lobectomy, or removing the entire lobe (1/5 of the lung), and rarely pneumonectomy, or removing an entire lung on one side. Lobectomy is traditionally done via a thoracotomy (-cotomy meaning cut, or cut the thorax or chest). Now there are minimally invasive approaches. This is called video assisted thoracic surgery or vats lobectomy.

The first question: Should be is there any role for surgery. The techniques are "open" or thoracoscopic directed, originally just video, now robotic as well. The surgeon should know status of n-2 nodes and whether a lobectomy or entire lung is to be removed, and usually nodes are dissected or sampled regardless ot pre-op "knowledge". Segments and wedge done for poor pft.

Robot or VATS: Optimal lung cancer surgery, in appropriate candidates, is anatomic lobectomy (part of lung) or pneumonectomy (whole lung). Complete lymph node sample or dissection is integral part of case. Traditional centers use thoracotomy as primary approach. Modern minimally invasive approaches include vats and robotic techniques. Optimal lung cancer treatment is by comprehensive multidisciplinary approach.