These include patients with tumors larger than 3 centimeters, who previously may only have been treated with radiation and chemotherapy. Surgery is currently the only possible cure for lung cancer. Researchers are beginning to study the quality and extension of life of those following lung cancer surgery, she said. Patients participating in the study include those from UNMC, the Veterans Administration hospital in Omaha and patients at the Midlands Pulmonary Clinic in Sioux City, Iowa. This study will document measurements in pulmonary function before and after surgery and give us information about whether patients recover to a functional existence or if they become disabled and what may be the reasons causing these deficiencies.
Lung cancer is the number one cause of death among men and women in the United States.
About 90 percent of lung cancer is associated with cigarette smoking, acccording to the American Cancer Society. We anticipate that there will be an increase of the death rate among women who smoke. Pierce said the rate of deaths among male smokers has plateaued, while the death rate is increasing among women. This is due to women starting smoking at a younger age and more women smoking. UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.