Pope Leo Recovering After Cancer Surgery: What the Vatican Says to Know

Diagnosis and early detection

The Vatican identified Pope Leo XIV’s cancer as lung adenocarcinoma, a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell cancers make up most lung cancer cases, and adenocarcinoma is its most common subtype. Its forms can grow at different rates.

In the pope’s case, doctors found a lung nodule during an exam for another reason. Such incidental findings can lead to investigation before symptoms appear, potentially while a tumor is still small and has not spread.

Lung cancer symptoms often emerge only in advanced stages. They can include a persistent cough, chest pain, hoarseness, shortness of breath, and repeated pneumonia or bronchitis.

Risks and screening

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but up to one in five cases occur in people who have never smoked. Dr. John Heymach of MD Anderson Cancer Center said the reason is unclear and may sometimes be random chance.

Other risks cited by the American Cancer Society include radon, asbestos, radiation, secondhand smoke, and air pollution. In the United States, annual low-dose CT screening is recommended for some people at high risk because of heavy smoking.

Surgery and recovery

Surgery is a main treatment when lung cancer is detected early and is increasingly used in more advanced cases. Pope Leo had the lower section, or lobe, of his right lung removed in an effort to remove all the cancer.

The right lung has three lobes, while the left has two. Dr. Ben Zhang, a thoracic surgeon at Allina Health in Minneapolis, said the other lobes take on some of the removed lobe’s work. He said lung function gradually compensates over several months, and many people notice little or no difference during exertion.

Zhang said the average U.S. hospital stay after lung cancer surgery is two nights. The length can depend on a patient’s ability to get up and walk, pain, and how long a chest tube is needed to drain air and fluid.