Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed with Lung Cancer After Surgery
Following surgery to remove a lobe of his right lung, Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. An oncologist explains the prognosis and recovery.
TL;DR
- Pope Leo XIV had the lower lobe of his right lung removed due to a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma.
- Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung tumor, and its aggressiveness varies.
- The prognosis depends on the stage, size, and spread of the tumor; surgery is generally for stage one or two.
- If the tumor is less than four centimeters, surgery alone may be sufficient for a cure, with a 80-90% chance of recovery.
- If the tumor is larger than four centimeters, chemotherapy will likely be necessary.
- The Pope, aged 71, is in good health and expected to recover well physically within weeks.
- Post-discharge, regular check-ups and CT scans for five years are recommended to monitor for recurrence.