Lung surgery is most commonly performed for the surgical treatment of cancer of the lung. Other conditions that may require surgical intervention include: recurrent collapse of the lung (pneumothorax), and infectious processes. Lung cancer is a very serious disease, and frequently cannot be treated surgically. When it can be removed with an operation surgery is an important option to consider.
Esophageal surgery is performed for cancer of the esophagus, hernias of the esophagogastric junction, and other less common disorders of swallowing. Cancer of the esophagus tends to be a treacherous disease that is often diagnosed late in the course of the illness so that surgical treatment may be limited in its goals.