has been diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer that can develop without noticeable symptoms in its early stages and can affect both smokers and non-smokers.
The 71-year-old underwent surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. said tests confirmed the diagnosis after doctors had suspected it during preoperative examinations. According to the AP, the Vatican described the surgery as successful, with no complications.
The diagnosis has drawn attention to pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common form of non-small cell lung cancer, and the challenges involved in detecting it early.
Pulmonary adenocarcinoma develops in glandular cells of the lungs and commonly occurs in the outer regions of the lungs. It can grow for months or years without producing noticeable symptoms, making early detection difficult.
“Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is a type of lung cancer that tends to develop in the cells lining the lungs. It is a form of non-small cell lung cancer and can be commonly seen in smokers as well as non-smokers,” Dr. Sheeba Santhmayer, consultant radiation oncologist at TGH ONCO LIFE Cancer Centre, Talegaon told Mint.
Dr. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, vice chairman of Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Onco-Robotic Surgeries, said smoking remains the main risk factor, although the disease is also diagnosed in people who have never smoked.
is a major risk factor, but it is not the only one. Exposure to second-hand smoke, air pollution, radon gas and occupational carcinogens, including asbestos and diesel exhaust, can also increase the risk. Genetic factors may contribute in some cases.
Dr. Santhmayer cautioned against assuming that lung cancer affects only smokers or that an absence of symptoms means there is no risk.
According to Dr. Santhmayer, symptoms can include a persistent or worsening cough, breathlessness, chest discomfort, coughing up blood, tiredness and unexplained weight loss.
Because early-stage disease may not cause symptoms, it can sometimes be discovered incidentally during imaging performed for another medical reason. Persistent respiratory symptoms, particularly coughing up blood or unexplained breathlessness, warrant prompt medical evaluation.
Diagnosis may involve chest X-rays, CT scans, PET-CT imaging and a biopsy to confirm cancer. Molecular testing can help identify genetic changes that may be targeted with specific treatments.
Treatment depends on the cancer’s stage, location and other clinical factors. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
According to AP, doctors had not yet reported the results of tests to determine whether Pope Leo XIV’s cancer had spread to his lymph nodes.
“Adenocarcinoma is the most common (type of lung cancer), also with the most favorable prognosis,” said Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer expert at Georgetown’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. “While we know the diagnosis we now need to know the stage.”
Liu said further information about the tumour’s size, the number of affected areas and lymph node involvement would help determine the next steps in treatment.
