Surgery·Surgery
Lobectomy overview
Informed by recognized medical guidance
Overview
A lobectomy is surgery to remove one lobe (section) of the lung. It is most often done to treat lung cancer or other serious lung conditions that are located in just that lobe.
Key facts
- Lobectomy removes an entire lobe of the lung, leaving the other lobes in place.
- It is a major operation that usually requires a few days in the hospital.
- Recovery takes several weeks, and most people can return to normal activities within a few months.
Lobectomy is a common procedure for early-stage lung cancer. Thousands are performed each year around the world.
It is most often performed on adults, especially people with lung cancer, severe infections, or non-cancerous growths in the lung.