UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
Thoracic surgeon, Darren Bryan, MD, and patient
Thoracic surgeon Darren Bryan, MD, offers a full range of surgical options to treat lung cancer, including minimally invasive and robotic surgery procedures.
Choosing to have lung cancer surgery at a high-volume, academic medical center means you will receive care from board-certified thoracic surgeons focused on treating lung cancer. Our nationally ranked lung cancer surgery program at the University of Chicago Medicine offers minimally invasive surgery and lung-sparing surgeries for lung cancer. In fact, our surgeons perform virtually all lung cancer surgeries using minimally invasive techniques. 

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Nationally Ranked Lung Cancer Surgery

According to U.S. News & World Report's 2024-25 Rankings.

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Benefits of Minimally Invasive Lung Cancer Surgery

Compared with traditional, “open” surgery, minimally invasive surgery for lung cancer offers many benefits, including:

  • Smaller incisions and scars
  • Shorter hospital stay (two to three days compared with about four days for traditional surgery)
  • Less pain
  • Fewer complications after surgery
  • Faster recovery time (three weeks compared with four to six weeks for traditional surgery)

Surgeons at UChicago Medicine are nationally recognized experts in minimally invasive surgery to remove lung cancer. Specifically, they perform:

  • Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS): With this technique, a thoracic surgeon can remove lung cancer without spreading the ribs or making a large incision. Only a few small incisions are needed in the chest.
  • Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS): With this technique, a thoracic surgeon controls a robotic surgery system that can remove lung tumors through a few small incisions without spreading the ribs.

International Expertise in Combining Surgery with Other Treatments

Our surgeons are global experts and leaders in integrating lung cancer surgery with the latest systemic therapies, including cancer immunotherapies and targeted therapies. These new treatment combinations are dramatically improving survival in early-stage lung cancer but require surgical expertise to do safely. Most of these surgeries can still be done with minimally invasive techniques.

See a Lung Cancer Surgeon Within 72 Hours

We understand how important it is to get seen by a surgeon as fast as possible. We can see most patients within three days at several locations:

To make an appointment, please call 1-855-702-8222. We also provide second opinions so that you and your family understand the latest surgical options available to treat your lung cancer.

What You Can Expect During Lung Cancer Surgery at UChicago Medicine

Having lung cancer surgery at UChicago Medicine means you will benefit from the most advanced surgical techniques available as well as the expertise of a multidisciplinary team. Here’s what you can expect through your treatment journey.

Before Your Surgery
You will meet with a board-certified thoracic surgeon who focuses on treating lung cancer and other diseases of the lungs and chest. Your surgeon will explain what will happen during surgery and answer any questions. You will also have imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scan or positron emission tomography (PET) scan, so your surgeon has detailed pictures of your lungs before surgery. You will have your fitness and lung function tested. Using all this information, your surgeon will plan what type of procedure you will need and how much lung tissue to remove.

To help you get ready for surgery, your team may recommend a prehabilitation program that includes exercise, such as walking, as well as smoking cessation if you smoke. Your team can also develop a supportive care plan that involves nutrition, stress management and other types of support to get you ready for surgery.

During Your Surgery
If you are having a minimally invasive surgery at UChicago Medicine, the surgeon will make several small incisions in your chest wall. Then they will either use a robotic surgery system, or they will insert small cameras and instruments to see the tumor and remove it, along with a portion of your lung.

After Your Surgery
You will be cared for by a highly specialized nursing team entirely focused on the care of patients undergoing heart and lung surgery. You will recover in the hospital and return home in two to three days. You may feel tired and have symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath during your recovery. You may also have a temporary chest tube to help drain fluid and help your lungs reinflate after surgery. You will return to see your surgeon in two weeks to make sure you are healing properly, to fully review your pathology report and discuss the next steps in your cancer journey.

Depending on the stage of your tumor, our treatment team may recommend other therapies such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy to improve the success of your treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Surgery for Lung Cancer

Request an Appointment

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-855-702-8222 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient for lung cancer care, please call UCM Physician Connect at 1-800-824-2282

 

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By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.