In our usual impression, if we have cancer and surgery, we will definitely be seriously injured, such as early lung cancer, removing part of the lung tissue, and everyone will also worry about whether it will affect lung function?
In fact, if the lung cancer is in the earlyst stage, that is, when it has just become cancerous, it is usually only necessary to cut off the local part of the lesion, only a part of the lobe of the lung, no need to do systemic lymph node dissection, and no need to do a complete lobectomy.
For such patients, basic postoperative lung function is not affected.
Like the example we've all heard, some people who have only one kidney or only a small part of their liver can work properly, and the lungs do the same.
Although the human body has five lobes, not all five lobes are working at the same time.
And when we remove a lobe, the cavity where the lobe is located will soon be filled by other lobes, and the other lobes will compensate for the increase.
After the functional exercise, it is completely possible to return to the same level as the preoperative lung function.
Director Zhang Yi of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University has seen patients who have cut off the right side of the whole lung, that is, only two lobes of the five lung lobes are left, and they can still breathe normally.
It is precisely because of the compensatory function of human tissues that even if only part of the tissue is working, it can meet our daily needs.
Reference: Medical Microvision official website
Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer - Early Lung Cancer: Why Does Surgical Removal of Lung Tissue Not Affect Lung Function?
Speaker: Zhang Yi Chief Physician - Director of Thoracic Surgery Department, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University Deputy Director of the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Secretary-General of lung cancer prevention and control branch of China Medical Promotion Association