Pope Leo XIV’s Surgery: What to Know About Lung Cancer Treatment

Pope Leo XIV is recovering after surgery following a lung cancer diagnosis, bringing new attention to a disease that affects thousands of families each year.

According to the Vatican, doctors performed a lobectomy, which involved removing the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung after tests identified a growth. The cancer was diagnosed as lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.

What’s a Lobectomy?

A lobectomy is surgery to remove one of the lung’s five lobes. The right lung has three lobes, while the left has two.

When lung cancer is limited to one area, removing the affected lobe may help remove the cancer while preserving as much healthy lung tissue as possible. Doctors consider several factors when deciding whether surgery is appropriate, including the cancer’s location, whether it’s spread, and the patient’s overall health.

Surgery isn’t the right treatment for every patient. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, treatment may also include radiation, chemotherapy, targeted medicines, or immunotherapy.

Can Lung Cancer Develop Without Symptoms?

Yes. Early-stage lung cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms, which is one reason it can go undetected.

When symptoms do occur, they may include:

• A cough that won’t go away or gets worse over time
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• Unexplained weight loss

Smoking is the leading risk factor, but people who’ve never smoked can also develop lung cancer.

For people at high risk, screening with a low-dose CT scan can help detect lung cancer earlier. Eligibility depends on age and smoking history, so talk with your doctor about whether screening is right for you.

Lung Cancer Surgery at Jackson

The Lung Center at Jackson Health System provides specialized care for patients with lung disease, including lung surgery. Its multidisciplinary team evaluates each patient’s condition to help determine the most appropriate treatment. At Jackson Memorial Hospital, patients have access to some of the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies available, including minimally invasive surgical approaches such as robotic-assisted thoracic surgery.

Because quick diagnosis and treatment are critical in lung cancer care, our team is committed to expediting the process from discovery to treatment, helping patients receive expert care as quickly as possible.

Pope Leo’s diagnosis is a reminder that understanding lung cancer, recognizing potential symptoms, and knowing your risk factors can help you make informed decisions about your health.

Learn more about lung cancer care and surgical treatment options at The Lung Center at Jackson Health System.

Image credit: Edgar Beltrán, The Pillar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons