Do Smokers Need to Quit Before Lung Cancer Surgery?
A recent study indicates that lung cancer patients who smoke before surgery face higher pulmonary complication risks but not increased short-term mortality. The analysis of over 85,000 smokers showed that those who quit a month prior had fewer complications. Experts suggest a balanced approach to smoking cessation, emphasizing the importance of timely surgery over strict quitting requirements.
- ▪Patients who smoke before lung cancer surgery have a higher risk of pulmonary complications than those who quit beforehand.
- ▪The study found no difference in 30-day mortality rates between current smokers and former smokers.
- ▪Surgeons are advised not to use smoking status alone to determine surgical candidacy for lung cancer patients.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Patients who continue to smoke ahead of lung cancer surgery face a greater risk for pulmonary complications than those who have quit the habit, but their short-term mortality risk is no higher.That’s according to a retrospective analysis of over 85,000 current and former smokers who underwent lung cancer resection. Researchers found that patients who were still smoking in the month before surgery had a somewhat higher rate of pulmonary complications than their counterparts who had quit at least a month prior (34.6% vs 30.5%).However, 30-day mortality was identical in the two groups, at 1%, according to findings published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.Experts said the results underscore the need for a balanced approach to smoking cessation after a lung cancer…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Medscape.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Medscape
