There are many different factors that affect the possibility of surgery for advanced lung cancer because it may have spread to other parts of the body.
In general, the advanced disease is when the cancer has spread to vital structures (such as the spine, lungs, brain, or heart). In selected cases, surgery may be possible. This usually involves more than one team of surgeons (for example a chest surgeon and a spinal surgeon) and is offered to patients where there is the possibility of complete resection (removal of all cancer).
If the cancer has spread to only one or a few (and nowhere else), surgery may be used to remove it. Depending on the extent of the cancer, this might help the patient live longer, or it could even cure the cancer. Deciding if surgery is an option to remove areas of cancer spread depends on their size, number, and location of tumors.
Whether or not surgery can be performed, most often other treatment will also be utilized such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy or precision medicine, as well as others.