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Side Effects of Surgery for Lung Cancer

Surgery for lung cancer causes some pain and tenderness in the chest area, so talk with your surgeon about what pain medication is best for you.

Your ribs will be spread apart for lung surgery, so you may have pain for several weeks after surgery. Nerves may be injured or cut during surgery. You may have numbness and tingling in the chest area. This usually goes away in a few weeks or months. Some people may have ongoing numbness or pain.

Other risks of surgery include infection, poor wound healing, bleeding, or a reaction to the anesthesia used in surgery. Report any problems to your surgeon.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology
Last Revised May 27, 2010

Last Revised: May 27, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology

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