Surgeon's view: is palliative resection of lung cancer ever justified?

Thoracic surgeons are often asked to see patients with locally advanced primary lung cancer in whom the goal of treatment is palliation for relief of disabling symptoms. The last four decades have brought great changes in the care of patients with primary lung cancer. The goals of the treatment must be well-defined by the interdisciplinary team. The thoracic surgeon has to make the final decision on whether to consider an operation for palliation and what is the expectation of the recommended treatment.