← All Conditions
Lung cancer surgery
Condition Guide

Lung cancer surgery
VATS & robotic lobectomy and segmentectomy

Lung cancer is a growth that starts in the lung. When it’s found early, it can often be removed through a few small keyhole cuts instead of a large open operation. Dr. Irshad performs more than 95% of his lung operations this minimally invasive way — robotically (RATS) or by keyhole (VATS) — which usually means less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster return to normal life.

Lobectomy (VATS / RATS)
Procedure
2–3 days
Hospital stay
Keyhole
Minimally invasive
95%+
Done keyhole

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer happens when cells in the lung grow out of control and form a tumour. The most common kind is non-small cell lung cancer. Caught early, before it spreads, surgery to remove the affected part of the lung offers the best chance of long-term control or cure when it’s found early.

Signs & symptoms

  • A cough that won’t go away or changes
  • Coughing up blood
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Repeated chest infections
  • Unexplained weight loss or tiredness
  • Note: early lung cancer often has no symptoms and is found on a scan

See your doctor if a cough lasts more than three weeks, you cough up blood, or you have ongoing chest symptoms — getting checked early matters.

How it’s diagnosed

  • CT scan to look at the tumour
  • PET scan to check whether it has spread
  • Biopsy & staging — often with EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound), a scope used to sample lymph nodes and check whether the cancer has spread. EBUS recovery guide (PDF)
  • Breathing tests to plan surgery safely

Treatment options

  • Lobectomy — removing the lobe that holds the tumour
  • Segmentectomy or wedge — removing a smaller piece for early, small tumours
  • VATS or robotic keyhole approaches
  • Combined care with chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation when needed
Dr. Irshad’s approach

Keyhole lung surgery

Using VATS (video-assisted) and robotic techniques, Dr. Irshad removes lung tumours through a few small cuts rather than spreading the ribs as in open surgery. Large studies show keyhole lobectomy gives cancer control as good as — or better than — open surgery, with fewer complications.

More than 95% of his lung resections are done this way, so most patients recover faster and get home sooner.

Your recovery, step by step

Before surgery

Prehab helps: stopping smoking and doing daily breathing exercises lowers your risk and speeds recovery.

Hospital

Usually 2–3 days, compared with 5–7 for open surgery.

Weeks 1–2

Rest at home with short walks; no driving. The chest drain is removed before you leave hospital.

Weeks 3–4

Activity gradually increases; most people return to light activities.

Week 6

Follow-up with Dr. Irshad; most patients are cleared for normal activity.

Long term

Lung-function checks and oncology follow-up as needed.

Download recovery guide (PDF)A printable guide to take home.

Common questions

What are the stages of lung cancer?
Staging describes how big the cancer is and how far it has spread, which guides treatment. In simple terms: Stage 1 — small and only in the lung; usually treated with surgery. Stage 2 — larger, or spread to lymph nodes within the lung; often surgery plus chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Stage 3 — spread to lymph nodes in the centre of the chest; usually a combination of treatments, and some patients still have surgery. Stage 4 — spread to the other lung or other parts of the body; treated mainly with medicines (chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy) and radiation. Your exact stage is confirmed with scans and a biopsy.
Can I have minimally invasive surgery even if the tumour is large?
In most cases, yes. Dr. Irshad assesses each patient individually. Most tumours can be managed with keyhole (thoracoscopic) or robotic surgery if the anatomy allows.
Is the cancer control as good with keyhole surgery?
Yes. Many large studies confirm equal or better cancer outcomes with VATS lobectomy compared with open surgery, and with substantially fewer complications.
Who benefits from immunotherapy before surgery?
Immunotherapy is medicine that helps your own immune system find and attack cancer cells. For some non-small cell lung cancers that are larger or have reached nearby lymph nodes but can still be removed, giving immunotherapy — usually together with chemotherapy — before surgery can shrink the tumour and lower the chance the cancer comes back. Whether it’s right for you depends on the cancer type, its stage, and markers such as PD-L1 from your biopsy. Dr. Irshad and the oncology team decide on this together with you.
How do I get referred to Dr. Irshad?
Your family doctor or oncologist can fax a referral to the clinic at (905) 458-4080. A referral form is available in the referral section. Urgent cases are triaged quickly.

Preparing for your surgery at William Osler

Your operation takes place at William Osler Health System (Brampton Civic Hospital). These are the hospital’s general instructions for getting ready, the day itself, and afterwards — always follow any specific advice Dr. Irshad gives you. Full details are on the Osler Surgical Services page.

Before your surgery
  • Do not eat anything (including gum) after midnight the night before. Unless told otherwise, you may have clear fluids — water, pulp-free juice, black coffee or tea — up to 2 hours before.
  • No alcohol, smoking, or marijuana for 24 hours before surgery.
  • Shower the evening before and the morning of surgery (with chlorhexidine soap if you have it). Skip lotion, perfume, makeup and nail polish.
  • Bring your OHIP card and photo ID, all your medications in their original containers (inhalers, insulin, supplements), and your CPAP machine if you use one.
  • Arrange a responsible adult to drive you home — a taxi, Uber or Lyft does not count, and surgery may be cancelled without one.
  • Leave jewellery, money and valuables at home.
The day of your surgery
Arrive about 2 hours before your scheduled time. Register at the central registration desk in the main lobby at Brampton Civic Hospital (2100 Bovaird Drive East), then go to the Day Surgery area. Staff will help you change, check your vitals, confirm the details from your pre-anaesthesia visit, and start an IV before you go to the operating room. Your family member can wait in the surgery waiting area.
After your surgery
You’ll wake up in the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit, then move to Day Surgery or an inpatient room (or the Intensive Care Unit if you need closer monitoring). For the first 24 hours after the anaesthetic, have an adult with you, do not drive or operate machinery, avoid alcohol, and hold off on big decisions. A follow-up appointment is booked before you leave. Learn more about discharge and pain management.
The pre-anaesthesia clinic
Before your operation you’ll get a call from the pre-anaesthesia clinic for an education call or an in-person visit, where the team reviews your health, your medications and your anaesthetic plan.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Kashif Irshad, MD, MSc, FRCSC · Last updated July 2026

A referral from your family doctor or specialist is all that’s needed to be seen by Dr. Irshad. Find the referral forms and clinic details below.

Referral information →