Surgery is not the answer for all lung cancer patients. Indeed, only those suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are eligible to be considered for surgical treatment. Additionally, the cancer must meet certain other stipulations as well: it must be confined to one lung, the patient’s overall health must be reasonably good, there must be sufficient pulmonary reserve, and the cancer must be at a correct stage. If these conditions are satisfied, the patient may then choose from several types of lung cancer surgery, each with its optimal scenarios for success and its own risks and benefits.
Types of Lung Cancer Surgery
Lobectomies remove one lobe that has been infected by cancer cells. Because the right lung has three lobes and the left lung two, the remaining lobes are able to continue functioning at reasonable levels afterwards.
Wedge resections also remove one affected area. The tumor is cut out along with a small portion of the surrounding tissue. Surgeons often recommend this procedure when the tumor is small, at an early stage, and a full lobectomy would be too dangerous for the patient. While the immediate risks are reduced when a wedge resection is performed, there is a higher chance of cancer recurrence in the long term.
Pneumonectomies are the most drastic of surgeries performed on lung cancer patients. An entire lung is removed in this procedure—a technique that makes pneumonectomies very uncommon forms of surgical treatment. Lung function is greatly reduced following a pneumonectomy, but in certain cases this loss is offset by the benefit to the patient’s health.
Other Options and Costs for Lung Cancer
In addition to the basics of these three commonly performed types of lung surgeries, there are other costs to consider. Many surgeons now offer the option of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) to supplement more traditional surgeries. Robotic technology may be used to insert videoscopes into the patient’s chest cavity either during the operation as a guide, or even beforehand to gauge the condition of the lungs and lymph nodes. VATS procedures can confirm the presence of lung cancer, perform biopsies, or even take part in complete lobectomies and wedge resections. However, VATS technology is certain to add extra fees to your basic lung cancer surgery bill.
Costs continue to accrue after your primary lung surgery operation is completed. A number of checkups, small operations, and treatment plans are required to maintain your health. Draining your chest cavity of fluids through tubing is one common follow-up task, as is therapy to assist with breathing. Depending on your lung cancer’s stage, you might need additional chemotherapy and radiation therapy as a final step after surgery.
Insurance for Lung Cancer Surgery
With all these costs adding up, the final figure for lung cancer comes out in the tens of thousands. Know how much your insurance company or Medicare is willing to pay before you settle upon a treatment plan. Talking to both your healthcare provider and your doctor can help you negotiate for a series of treatments that optimize benefits to both your body and your bank account.
