Definition:
Inoperable lung cancer is a lung cancer for which surgery is not considered the most appropriate treatment option.
Lung cancer can be inoperable for one of several reasons, including the size of the tumor, distant spread (metastasis) of the tumor, location of the tumor and other health conditions that could raise the risk associated with surgery.
Inoperable lung cancer does not mean that a tumor is untreatable. Other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be better options.
