Pope's cancer prognosis may depend on these factors, doctors say
Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with lung cancer after a surgery that removed a nodular lesion from his right lung, the Vatican said.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV is recovering after surgery to remove a lobe of his right lung and a lung cancer diagnosis.
- Doctors say the cancer type, lung adenocarcinoma, often has a good prognosis when found early.
- The Vatican has not disclosed the cancer stage or whether lymph nodes are involved.
Pope Leo XIV was recovering Wednesday, a day after having a lobe of his right lung removed and confirming a diagnosis of lung cancer. The Holy See Press Office said blood tests and a chest X-ray showed a normal post-operative course, with values within the expected range for the procedure.
The surgery removed what the pope and Vatican described as a localized nodular lesion. The Vatican has not shared the stage of the cancer or whether it has spread, which would help determine if Leo needs further treatment.
Doctors assess possible prognosis
Leo was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a common type of non-small cell lung cancer. Dr. Kalvin Lung, a thoracic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute, told CBS News 24/7 that it is very common and generally has a very good prognosis when found early on.
The Vatican has not said what stage the cancer is. Dr. Jon LaPook, CBS News chief medical correspondent, said they may not know yet. But the information provided suggests the cancer may have been caught early, according to Lung.
The values are within the expected range for the type of procedure performed.
— Holy See Press Office
Lymph node involvement and recovery
Doctors said if the cancer spread to the lymph nodes, that would change the prognosis and possible treatment plan. LaPook noted that sometimes tests beforehand suggest it is localized, but lymph nodes turn out to be involved. Further testing would determine treatment.
Recovery from the surgery is typically a few weeks. Leo is expected to stay at the hospital for a week, according to the Vatican. The Holy See Press Office said his recovery was proceeding as expected, and he has carried out respiratory physiotherapy, begun walking around his room, and resumed a regular diet.
Dr. David Jones, chief of thoracic surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, said he thinks Leo will be back to doing what he wants in about three to four weeks, maybe a little slower, but he will be fine.
