Preoperative and Postoperative Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Lung Cancer Patients

The most effective treatment for non-small cell lung cancer is surgery; however, many patients diagnosed with lung cancer have significant underlying chronic lung disease as well as other symptoms related to their cancer that may increase morbidity and mortality risks. Preoperative assessment is essential. An important question is whether the institution of a perioperative pulmonary rehabilitation program for this patient population results in better outcomes, with respect to functional status and decreased morbidity and mortality rates.