Lung

LUNG MASSES AND/OR CANCER When a diagnosis of a lung mass needs to be determined, sometimes a surgical biopsy is needed when other means aren’t capable of obtaining the diagnosis. When there is a cancer (non-small cell lung cancer) then surgery is indicated if it isn’t too advanced.

DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIAS are holes in the diaphragm. While you can be born with them, those are usually discovered and repaired as infants. Most adult diaphragmatic hernias are caused by a tear in the diaphragm during some trauma in the past (i.e. fall or car accident).

PLEURAL EFFUSIONS are where fluid collects in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. When the fluid builds up too much it makes it difficult for the lungs to expand and the fluid needs to be removed.  If the fluid continues to come back then surgery is available that is designed to prevent recurrence of the fluid.