For those in which adenocarcinoma has not spread outside the lung, surgery offers the best chance for a cure. Surgery may involve removal of the tumor, or the entire lung.

Two types of surgery for lung cancer include:

• Wedge resection:
• Removal of a portion of the lung that contains the tumor
• Pneumonectomy:
• Complete removal of one lung

About half of those with lung cancer are not candidates for surgery.

Those who are not candidates for surgery include:

• Cancer has spread outside the lung
• Severe, underlying lung disease
• COPD
• Emphysema