Doctors hopeful after Pope Leo XIV’s lung surgery – can chemotherapy be avoided?

Initial assessments of Pope Leo XIV’s health following surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung are encouraging. According to specialists cited by CNN, the early detection of the disease and the surgical removal of the tumor are positive factors for the prognosis, while the need for additional treatment will be determined by the results of postoperative tests.

The procedure was performed on Tuesday, October 13, at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome. According to public announcements, surgeons removed a pulmonary nodule diagnosed as adenocarcinoma, one of the most common forms of lung cancer. The operation involved removal of the lower lobe of the right lung and ended without complications.

Adenocarcinoma belongs to the group of non-small cell lung cancers and accounts for about 40% of cases. When it is detected in the early stages and the tumor is localized, surgery can be the main treatment, with the goal of completely removing the malignant tissue.

One of the most important factors in Pope Leo XIV’s case is precisely the early detection of the tumor. The Pope himself had previously stated that the lesion in his lung was identified at a very early stage, making it possible to plan the surgical intervention.

Pulmonologist Juanita Mora, a representative of the American Lung Association, told CNN that these circumstances are positive for the course of the disease. According to her, the fact that the tumor was localized and removed through surgery could significantly improve the prognosis. In addition, the Pope’s overall physical condition — he is 71 years old, does not smoke and is physically active — could help in the recovery process.

However, the removal of a lung lobe requires time for the body to adapt to the reduced breathing capacity. For this reason, the recovery phase will include respiratory physiotherapy and special exercises to improve lung function. Doctors will also take special care to prevent respiratory infections.

Despite the operation ending without complications, the final answer on the course of the disease will come after further tests. Of particular importance will be the histological examination of the removed tissue and the assessment of lymph nodes, to determine whether cancer cells have spread beyond the affected area.

If the tests show that the disease has spread, doctors may consider additional treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Meanwhile, molecular tests and biomarkers may help identify personalized treatments, including targeted therapies and immunotherapy.

According to expert Juanita Mora, the hope is that this is a localized tumor, for which surgery may be the only necessary treatment. However, this will be confirmed only after the full test results are known. The test results will also influence the determination of the recovery timeline and whether the Pope will be able to make the planned trip to Latin America next month.

For now, the early detection and the complication-free conclusion of the operation are considered positive signs, but the final prognosis remains linked to the exact stage of the disease and the results of the tests after the intervention.