Pope Leo has lung cancer after doctors removed part of his right lung, and the Vatican said the surgery went well.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo has lung cancer after doctors removed part of his right lung, and the Vatican said the surgery went well.

The Vatican said earlier Wednesday the pontiff had planned surgery to remove a lung nodule.

Doctors removed part of his right lung, and a Vatican spokesperson said doctors diagnosed him with adenocarcinoma, a non-small cell lung cancer.

According to the American Lung Association, non-small cell lung cancer accounts for about 80% of all cases.

The Vatican said Pope Leo is expected to recover in the hospital for about a week.

KOB 4 contacted University of New Mexico Hospital and spoke with Dr. Ramesh Gopal, associate professor of radiation oncology at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, about possible next steps as the pope recovers.

“I hate to speculate, but I wish Pope Leo a speedy recovery. I’m hopeful that it was completely removed and it hasn’t spread,” said Gopal. “I think he will need more imaging and follow-up, and if it is found that it has spread, he may need additional treatments such as possibly systemic therapies like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies.”

What comes next?

Gopal said Pope Leo is not known to be a smoker, but this kind of cancer has affected smokers and nonsmokers.

“I do believe he has a healthy lifestyle, and that means that his recovery should be faster and quicker,” said Gopal. “It means that he has more pulmonary reserve, and even though they removed a portion of his lung, he should be able to return to an active life and a full schedule.”

Gopal also said the diagnosis should remind people that lung cancer is common.

He said screening programs exist for people at risk and many treatment options are available.