Understanding Lung Surgery Surgery is often done to get a closer
look at the inside of the lungs and to help treat lung problems.
If a mass is found in the lung, surgery can help determine its
cause. If necessary, the mass may also be removed. Surgery may
be done for other conditions as well, such as a collapsed lung
or fluid around the lung. A Lung Mass If a mass has been found
in the lung, a biopsy (sample) can be removed and examined to
determine whether the growth is benign (not cancerous) or
malignant (cancerous). Other areas can be examined to check
whether the mass has spread. If the mass needs to be removed,
its size, location, and spread determine how much of the
surrounding lung also needs to be removed. Removal of part or
all of a lung is called lung resection. A Collapsed Lung If a
portion of the lung wall is thin or ruptured, air may leak into
the pleural cavity (the space between the lungs and the chest
wall). If air collects here, the lung may collapse. This is
known as pneumothorax. Tubes plac