You Can Live for Decades With Only Part of a Lung
Pope Francis did it, and doctors say Pope Leo's recent lung surgery may not shorten his life.
Up First from NPR · Ukraine's President Sits With NPR, Pope Leo Cancer, Ambassador Guilfoyle Forced OutPope Francis lost part of a lung as a young man and lived for decades afterward. Reporter Scott Detrow, a biographer of Pope Leo, notes, "Many people live without two full lungs."
The Vatican says Leo was treated for lung cancer, with surgeons removing the bottom section of his right lung, what doctors call the lower lobe, in a 90-minute operation.
Dr. Vin Gupta, a lung expert at the University of Washington, said operating first is a good sign because it suggests early-stage cancer that has not reached the lymph nodes, nearby glands where cancer can spread.
Test results are not back yet, but if they confirm that view, he said there is a good chance the loss may not affect Leo's lifespan.
Detrow found no sign Leo ever smoked, though cancer runs in his family. Detrow also reported that recovery can be painful at first, but people often resume everyday life in many ways within two weeks.
Questions people ask
Do only smokers get lung cancer?
No. Most lung cancers in never-smokers are linked to factors such as radon exposure, air pollution, secondhand smoke, and family history. About 10 to 20 percent of lung cancers in the United States occur in people who never smoked.
Can you still exercise with less lung?
Yes, though lung capacity is reduced. Many people with one lobe removed can walk, work, and exercise normally after recovery, and elite stamina is the main thing that may decline. Doctors usually recommend pulmonary rehabilitation and regular follow-up breathing tests.
What are doctors waiting for in the pathology report?
Pathologists examine the removed tissue under a microscope to see the exact type and stage of cancer. They check whether the edges are clear and whether cancer reached nearby lymph nodes or blood vessels. Those findings decide whether more treatment is needed and how often the patient is monitored.