[Wedge resection for lung cancer]

The role of wedge resection in lung cancer is reviewed. In the past century, many reports appeared dealing with limited resection for lung cancer, and it is clear that wedge resection should be performed in patients who are considered at high risk for not tolerating lobectomy; still there is no prospective or even retrospective study on wedge resection carried out in candidates for lobectomy. In recent years, progress in imaging diagnostic technology using high-resolution computed tomography has increased the opportunity to diagnose early adenocarcinoma presenting as small ground-glass opacity (GGO) which could not be detected on chest radiographs. Some patients with GGO may become candidates for wedge resection in this century, if additional favorable data result from prospective studies relevant to imaging diagnosis, pathology, and prognosis.