Pope Leo XIV undergoes lobectomy for lung adenocarcinoma

Pope Leo XIV had the lower lobe of his right lung surgically removed after doctors identified a tumor as lung adenocarcinoma, the most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer. The Vatican announced the diagnosis and said the procedure was performed to ensure complete removal of the cancer.

Dr. John Heymach of MD Anderson Cancer Center noted that, while still serious, adenocarcinoma "has slightly higher cure rates than other types of lung cancer." He added that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but about one-in-five cases occur in people who have never smoked, with other risk factors including radon, asbestos, radiation, secondhand smoke and air pollution.

The pope’s tumor was discovered incidentally during a separate examination, a situation that can allow treatment before symptoms develop. Early detection often relies on imaging such as low-dose CT scans, which are recommended for high-risk individuals in the United States.

Surgical removal of a lung lobe is a common treatment for early-stage disease. Dr. Ben Zhang, a thoracic surgeon, explained that the remaining lobes compensate for the loss, and most patients resume normal activity within months. The pope, who regularly plays tennis and swims, was walking the day after surgery, which Heymach described as "typically a harbinger of a quicker recovery."

Further therapy depends on tumor stage, size, lymph-node involvement and molecular markers. Options may include chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy or targeted drugs, according to standard oncology practice.