Following reports that Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma and underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, many people have questions about lung cancer, treatment options and recovery. The Vatican has reported that the surgery was successful and that Pope Leo's recovery is progressing as expected.


Houston Methodist thoracic surgeon Dr. Min Kim and medical oncologist Dr. Preethi Prasad answer some common questions surrounding the Pope's diagnosis and what it means for lung cancer patients everywhere.

 

Q: Reports indicate Pope Leo underwent lung surgery. What procedure did he have?


Dr. Min Kim: Based on public reports, Pope Leo underwent a right lower lobectomy using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), a minimally invasive approach to removing part of the lung. This technique uses small incisions and a camera, allowing the operation without a large chest incision. Compared with traditional open surgery, minimally invasive techniques generally result in less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery.

 

At Houston Methodist, we use advanced robotic technology to perform lung resections with enhanced precision. With this minimally invasive approach, many of our patients are able to return home after just one day in the hospital, experience minimal postoperative pain and recover more quickly.

 

When surgery is recommended for lung cancer, it typically indicates that physicians believe the cancer can be completely removed and that the patient has sufficient heart and lung function to safely undergo the procedure.

 

Q: The Vatican says Pope Leo has lung adenocarcinoma. What is that?


Dr. Preethi Prasad: Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer and is part of a group known as non-small cell lung cancers. The encouraging news is that when doctors find these cancers early, patients often have more treatment options and better outcomes.

 

Treatment may include surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, chemotherapy or a combination of approaches based on the individual patient and tumor characteristics.

 

Q: What does recovery look like after part of the lung is removed?


Dr. Kim: Recovery depends on several factors, including a patient's age, overall health, baseline lung function and the type of surgery performed. After minimally invasive lung surgery, many patients can leave the hospital within a few days and gradually return to normal activities over the next several weeks.

 

During recovery, we closely monitor patients for potential complications, including pneumonia, abnormal heart rhythms and air leaks from the remaining lung tissue. Early walking, breathing exercises and adequate pain control are essential to a successful recovery. Pulmonary rehabilitation may also benefit selected patients.

 

The remaining lung tissue can compensate for some of the lost lung function. Many patients can resume their usual activities and maintain an excellent quality of life after surgery.

 

Q: What information do doctors still need before determining prognosis and whether additional treatment is necessary?


Dr. Prasad: The diagnosis tells us what type of cancer is present, but there are several important questions that still need to be answered. Physicians will want to know the cancer stage, whether any lymph nodes contain cancer cells, and whether molecular testing identifies specific genetic alterations that could help guide treatment decisions.

 

Those findings help determine prognosis and whether a patient may benefit from additional therapies such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy or chemotherapy after surgery.

 

Q: Can people live normal lives after losing part of a lung?


Dr. Kim: Absolutely. Many patients can live active, fulfilling lives after having a portion of their lung removed.

 

Before surgery, we carefully evaluate each patient's lung function, heart health and overall physical condition to ensure they can safely tolerate the procedure. Although some reduction in lung capacity is expected, most appropriately selected patients adapt well and can return to their usual daily activities, including walking, exercising and traveling.

 

Our goal is not simply to remove the cancer but to help patients maintain the best possible quality of life. Advances in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques allow us to treat lung cancer effectively while minimizing the impact of surgery on patients' recovery and daily activities.

 

Q: Can someone develop lung cancer even if they have never smoked, and who should be screened?


Dr. Prasad: Absolutely. Smoking remains the leading risk factor, but lung cancer can occur in people who have never smoked. We continue to learn more about the role genetics, environmental exposures and other risk factors may play. That's why people should never ignore persistent symptoms.

 

For individuals at high risk, especially adults age 50 and older with a significant smoking history, annual low-dose CT screening can help identify lung cancer at an earlier stage when treatment is often most effective. Reports indicate Pope Leo is not known to have a history of smoking, highlighting that lung cancer can affect a broad range of individuals.

 

About the experts


Dr. Min Kim is a thoracic surgeon and vice chair of Houston Methodist’s Department of Surgery, specializing in minimally invasive and robotic approaches to lung cancer surgery.


Dr. Preethi Prasad is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist at Houston Methodist Oncology Partners, with clinical interests in lung cancer and other solid tumors.