Surgical management of primary lung cancer

Despite advancements in systemic treatment and the understanding of tumor biology, the mainstay for the treatment of lung cancer remains its resection. All patients with lung cancer should be considered surgical candidates until they are proven to have contraindications to resection. This article reviews preoperative assessment and the operative technique for the surgical treatment of lung cancer. As with other surgical specialties, thoracic surgery is moving towards minimally invasive techniques that are reducing morbidity, mortality, and length of stay. This advance is allowing patients an earlier recovery from major pulmonary surgery.