Thoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in the surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs inside the thorax (the chest) excluding the heart. Generally treatment of conditions of the lungs, chest wall, esophagus and diaphragm. Thoracic surgery is often grouped with cardiac surgery and called cardiothoracic surgery (primarily in the United States).

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Thoracoscopy
Thoracoscopy is a medical procedure involving internal inspection of the pleural cavity. It was developed by Hans Christian Jacobaeus, a Swedish internist in 1910 for the treatment of tuberculous intra-thoracic adhesions. He used a cystoscope to examine the thoracic cavity, developing his technique over the next twenty years. Thoracoscopy may be performed either under general anaesthesia or under sedation with local anaesthetic.

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Lung Biopsy
A lung needle biopsy is a method to remove a piece of lung tissue for examination. A chest x-ray or chest CT scan may be used to locate the precise spot of the biopsy. If the biopsy is done using a CT scan, you may be lying down during the exam. You sit with your arms resting forward on a table. You should try to keep still and not cough during the biopsy. The skin is scrubbed and a local anesthetic is injected. The surgeon will make a small (about 1/8-inch) cut in the skin, and will insert the biopsy needle into the abnormal tissue, tumor, or lung tissue. A small piece of tissue is removed with the needle and sent to a laboratory for examination. When done, pressure is placed over the site. Once bleeding has stopped, a bandage is applied. A chest x-ray is taken immediately after the biopsy. The procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. Laboratory analysis usually takes a few days.

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Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is a medical procedure where a tube is inserted into the airways, usually through the nose or mouth. This allows the practitioner to examine inside a patient's airway for abnormalities such as foreign bodies, bleeding, tumors, or inflammation. The practitioner often takes samples from inside the lungs: biopsies, fluid (bronchoalveolar lavage), or endobronchial brushing. The practitioner may use either a rigid bronchoscope or flexible bronchoscope.

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Lung Cancer
Lung cancer, or carcinoma of the lung, is a disease where epithelial (internal lining) tissue in the lung grows out of control. This leads to metastasis, invasion of adjacent tissue and infiltration beyond the lungs. Lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related death in men and the second most common in women, is responsible for 1.3 million deaths worldwide annually. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing (including coughing up blood), and weight loss. The main types of lung cancer are small cell lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma. This distinction is important because the treatment varies; non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is sometimes treated with surgery, while small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) usually responds better to chemotherapy. The most common cause of lung cancer is exposure to tobacco smoke. The occurrence of lung cancer in non-smokers, who account for fewer than 10% of cases, appears to be due to a combination of genetic factors. Radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution may also contribute to lung cancer. Lung cancer may be seen on chest x-ray and computed tomography (CT scan). The diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy. This is usually performed via bronchoscopy or CT-guided biopsy. Treatment and prognosis depend upon the histological type of cancer, the stage (degree of spread), and the patient's performance status. Possible treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. With treatment, the five-year survival rate is 14%.

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