What is a lung adenocarcinoma, the type of malignant tumor that was removed from Pope Leo XIV

What is a lung adenocarcinoma, the type of malignant tumor that Pope Leo XIV had removed - Author, Editorial - Author's Title, BBC News Mundo - Publication Date - Reading Time: 4 min Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with lung cancer after successfully undergoing thoracic surgery this Tuesday to remove a nodule that had been detected a few days earlier, the Vatican reported. The pontiff, 71 years old, underwent a 90-minute operation at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, in which he had the lower lobe of his right lung removed. After examining the tissue removed during the operation, he was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, pointed out by doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora. The Vatican reported that the operation "was successful and no complications arose. In a medical report, the doctors indicated that the procedure was carried out "to ensure a radical resection" of the tumor. "After the intervention, the Pope woke up normally and, after a short period of observation, returned to his room," the Holy See added in its statement. The diagnosis occurred after a nodule was detected in the Pope during what the Vatican has described as "routine check-ups". A nodule is a small, localized lesion that is usually benign. The American Thoracic Society points out that less than 5% of lung nodules are cancerous, although the risk increases with age, the size of the nodule, and factors such as smoking. Nodules are denser than normal lung tissue and appear as white spots on a computed tomography scan. This is commonly known as a "shadow" or "spot in the lung". However, the tissue examined during Pope Leo's surgery confirmed that the nodule was a lung adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that originates in the mucus-producing cells of the lungs. What is a lung adenocarcinoma Cleveland Clinic in the United States explains on its website that adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in the glands lining organs. It is the most common type of lung cancer worldwide. "These glands secrete mucus and digestive juices. If the glandular epithelial cells begin to alter or grow uncontrollably, tumors can form," the institution points out. In the case of lung adenocarcinoma, it begins in the lung cells that produce mucus. The first symptom is usually a chronic cough. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is possible that when coughing, saliva and mucus are expelled with small amounts of blood. Other symptoms may include: - Difficulty breathing - Chest pain - Wheezing - Hoarseness Surgery, such as the one undergone by Pope Leo XIV, is usually the first line of treatment for adenocarcinoma. The goal is to remove the cancer and some of the surrounding tissue. Although smoking is the main risk factor, it also affects people who have never smoked. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, between 50% and 60% of lung cancers diagnosed in people who have never smoked are adenocarcinomas. If diagnosed in an early stage, as seems to be the case with the Pope, the cure rates are usually high. The Vatican did not report whether the pontiff will need further treatment after the surgery, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy. As a "bolt from the blue" It was Leo XIV himself who announced the news of his operation to the world on Sunday, speaking from the balcony of St. Peter's Square after delivering the traditional Angelus blessing. At that time, it was not known that it was a cancerous lesion. He said that the nodule in his lung was "contained" and that it had been detected "in a very early stage," but that the doctors had advised him to have it removed. The Pope's schedule has been cleared until October 20 to give him time to recover from the procedure. Leo XIX is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17. It is unclear if the surgery and recovery period will affect the trip, which would include various flights, helicopter travel, and visits to high-altitude areas in Peru. However, the Pope declared on Sunday that he maintained his intention to make the trip. This article was originally written in English and we used an artificial intelligence tool to translate it. A BBC journalist reviewed the text before its publication. More information on how we use AI. - Download the new BBC World Service app. Choose BBC News Mundo and receive news alerts, documentaries, and analysis, all in one place. Important: the new application is not available in the United Kingdom or the United States. - You can also follow us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, and on our WhatsApp channel. - And don't forget to subscribe here to our newsletter to receive a special selection of our best content every Friday.