# Resection of Lung Cancer After COVID-19 in a Patient With Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

## TL;DR

A patient with severe lung disease and lung cancer successfully underwent surgery after careful management following a COVID-19 infection.

## Contribution

Demonstrates successful curative resection in a high-risk patient with severe COPD and lung cancer post-COVID-19.

## Key findings

- Curative resection was safely performed in a patient with severe COPD and lung cancer after COVID-19.
- Perioperative management including respiratory physiotherapy and inhalation therapy reduced complication risks.

## Abstract

Evidence regarding the safety of thoracic surgery after COVID-19 is insufficient. The postoperative complication rate is high in patients with comorbidities, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who undergo thoracic surgery. Herein we report a woman with advanced lung cancer associated with severe pulmonary dysfunction with a percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 44.5% and percentage of predicted diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide of 38.9% due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease detected after COVID-19. Curative resection was safely performed with perioperative management including respiratory physiotherapy, inhalation therapy, and adequate preoperative waiting period.