Abstract
Thoracic surgery is a dynamic field, and many scientific, technological, technical,
and organizational changes are occurring. A prominent example is the use of less invasive
approaches to major resection of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), both thoracoscopic
and robotic. Sophisticated technology corroborated by clinical data has led to these
approaches becoming accepted additions to the armamentarium. Additionally, improvements
in perioperative pain management have also contributed to dramatically changing the
experience of patients who undergo modern thoracic surgery. Lung cancer is being detected
more often at an early stage. At the same time, advances in techniques, patient care,
clinical science, and multidisciplinary treatment support an increased role for aggressive
resection in the face of larger locally advanced tumors or for those with limited
metastatic disease. These advances, conducted in the setting of multidisciplinary
decision making, have resulted in real and palpable advancements for patients with
lung cancer.
Keywords
multidisciplinary care - thoracoscopic lobectomy - robotic surgery - minimally invasive
lung surgery - sublobar resection - brachytherapy - pain management
