Pope Leo XIV faces early-stage pulmonary adenocarcinoma after lung surgery
Goldlaner.com – Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery Tuesday in Rome after doctors identified a cancerous nodule in his right lung at an early stage. Surgeons at Agostino Gemelli University Policlinic removed the growth and the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung, a procedure intended to eliminate the known tumor and improve the likelihood of a cure.
The diagnosis is pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most frequently diagnosed form of lung cancer. It represents roughly 40% of lung cancer cases and belongs to the larger group known as non-small cell lung cancers. In general, these cancers tend to develop and spread more gradually than small cell lung cancer, though every patient’s condition depends on the tumor’s stage and biological features.
Why removing a lobe can be part of treatment
The operation performed on Pope Leo is called a lobectomy. The right lung has three lobes, while the left lung has two. When a tumor is confined to one area, removing the lobe that contains it is often a central part of treatment. Doctors may also take nearby tissue and lymph-node samples to determine whether cancer cells have moved beyond the original site.
Losing one lobe reduces available lung capacity, but the body can adapt over time. The remaining lung tissue and the opposite lung can compensate for part of the lost function. Recovery still requires patience, particularly in the first days and weeks after surgery, when breathing may feel more difficult and postoperative pain can limit deep breaths and movement.
Dr. Juanita Mora, national medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association, said the early and localized nature of the pope’s known diagnosis is an encouraging factor.
“The fact that Pope Leo had a localized case of adenocarcinoma with an early-stage detection works in his favor,” Mora said. “Especially after surgical removal.”
On Sunday, Leo told a crowd that physicians had found the lung growth at “a very early stage.” That detail is important because lung adenocarcinoma is often discovered only after it has advanced. Earlier detection can broaden treatment options and can make surgery more likely to be used with curative intent.
What doctors will assess next
The surgery does not conclude the medical evaluation. In the coming days, specialists will study tissue from the tumor, the removed lung lobe and lymph nodes around the lung. Those findings will help establish the cancer’s stage and show whether there is evidence of spread.
If testing finds cancer in lymph nodes or elsewhere, doctors may recommend additional treatment after surgery. Options can include chemotherapy, radiation or medicines tailored to particular features of the cancer. Genetic and biomarker testing can help clinicians identify whether immunotherapy or another targeted approach could be useful.
Biomarker testing has changed the way many lung cancers are treated, allowing care teams to match some therapies to the characteristics of an individual tumor. Mora noted, however, that insurance coverage for such testing remains uneven in the United States, with only 15 states requiring insurers to cover it for people with lung cancer.
“We’re hoping, though, that it’s just an isolated cancer where he’s one and done, in which now we see a survival rate of 80% to 98% when it comes to surgical removal,” Mora said of Leo. “But now we will have to wait for these tests.”
Recovery after a lobectomy
People who have a lobectomy usually stay in the hospital for several days while medical teams monitor oxygen levels, heart rate, pain control and other vital signs. Once stable, patients generally continue their recovery at home. Respiratory therapy exercises are commonly used to support lung expansion, clear secretions and rebuild endurance.
Mora said Leo may need a somewhat longer recovery period as his lungs adjust to the removed lobe.
“Initially, it will be a little harder for him to breathe until the left lung starts to compensate for it,” Mora said.
Maintaining activity before surgery can be helpful during rehabilitation. The 71-year-old pope is a nonsmoker, plays tennis and exercises his lungs, factors Mora described as favorable. Avoiding respiratory infections will also be especially important while he heals, since illnesses affecting the lungs could have a greater impact after part of one lung has been removed.
The Vatican’s recent experience has also highlighted that a full and active life is possible following this surgery. Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, had a right-sided lobectomy after a serious tuberculosis infection in his youth.
“So obviously, a lot of people live and can fully do everything in terms of function and capacity, even with a lobectomy,” Mora said.
Understanding adenocarcinoma risk
Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer, but it is not the only contributor to pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer apart from smoking, and particle pollution is another recognized risk factor. The disease is frequently diagnosed in people who have never smoked and is seen more often in women, younger patients and people of East Asian ancestry.
That broader risk profile is one reason lung symptoms and screening discussions can matter even for people who do not smoke. In Pope Leo’s case, the focus now turns to pathology results, recovery from surgery and the medical guidance that follows.
Whether he will be able to make a planned trip to Latin America next month will depend on his healing progress and the results of the post-surgical tests. For now, the early discovery and removal of the known tumor provide reasons for cautious optimism while doctors complete the assessment.
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