Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing thoracic surgery, the Vatican announced Tuesday. The diagnosis was confirmed after surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope's right lung, and examination of the tissue revealed lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer among non-smokers.
The pope reportedly does not smoke and does not have a known history of smoking. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that most lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking, with 80% of lung cancer deaths attributed to tobacco use. However, lung adenocarcinoma can also occur in individuals who have never smoked.
Lary Robinson, an oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, expressed surprise at the pope's diagnosis, given the lung nodule was felt to be malignant. However, Robinson noted that lung cancer can occur among never-smokers, with an estimated 10% of male patients and 25% of female patients affected. If the pope's cancer is stage 1, there is a high chance of cure, with a 90% chance of recovery depending on the size of the tumor.
The fact that the pope underwent surgery immediately suggests that there was likely no evidence of the cancer having spread. Robinson emphasized the importance of screening for lung cancer, particularly among high-risk individuals such as current smokers with a 20 pack-year history or former smokers who quit within the past 15 years. Annual CT screening is generally recommended starting at age 50 for those at high risk.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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