Pope Leo XIV planned surgery to remove lung ‘nodule’ – what to know – National– globalnews.ca

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to have an operation this week to remove “a localized nodule” in his lung that was “detected at a very early stage.” It is the first medical event of his 17-month papacy.

The Vatican said he will be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Tuesday, and predicted a weeklong recovery.

Here is what is known:

A lung nodule is a small abnormal area measuring less than three centimeters (about 1.2 inches) across. It is sometimes detected on a CT scan performed to investigate another problem, such as trauma or a lung infection, according to the American Cancer Society.

Experts say the nodule could be benign or malignant and that prompt evaluation is important.

If the nodule is cancerous and removed at an early stage, the prognosis is “excellent,” and surgery alone may be sufficient treatment, said Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer expert at Georgetown’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Leo, 71, is considered otherwise healthy and physically fit, both positive factors for his recovery. He said the nodule was discovered during “recent medical tests,” and the Vatican said Monday that no particular health issue prompted the check-up, describing it as “routine.”