Nach Lungen-OP: Ärzte: Krebs bei Papst hat nicht gestreut

Pope Leo XIV's lung cancer has not spread, according to his medical team. A recent examination of tissue removed during his operation confirmed the cancer was confined to a localized area, their statements revealed. The 71-year-old head of the Catholic Church did not require further treatment, as oncological assessment concluded.

Last Tuesday, a portion of the lower lobe of his right lung was removed, where a malignant tumor resided. Pope Leo was discharged from the hospital in the northwestern part of Italy's capital just days later. He even addressed the Angelus prayer to tens of thousands of believers worldwide from the window of the Apostolic Palace on the following day.

It remained unclear if the Pope was cancer-free after the 90-minute procedure. The medical bulletin from attending doctors Luigi Carbone and Stefano Margaritora now stated that the "final histological findings and molecular biological examinations" of the tissue removed during the operation had been evaluated and documented. The Vatican's announcement later revealed that the results confirmed the cancer was a lung adenocarcinoma, a locally limited disease.

Adenocarcinoma, experts explained, is the most common form of lung cancer. Further treatment was deemed unnecessary by the medical experts. The loss of a lung lobe would not be a dramatic event, as it would involve around 10 to 20 percent of lung function loss, often going unnoticed in daily life. One week ago, Leo used the Angelus prayer to surprise believers at St. Peter's Square by announcing that a "node in the lung" had been discovered, which was in the early stage.

At that time, it was still uncertain whether it was benign tissue, a precursor to cancer, or a malignant tumor. After the operation, the results of the tissue biopsy were eagerly awaited. Around a month ago, a major South American trip was planned for the Pope, including stops in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. However, the release of the study results should now clear the way for the trip, according to one of his doctors.

He assured that nothing medically prevents the journey. However, the now published findings should make the trip unnecessary from a medical perspective. It remains open if the Pope's sports program might need to be adapted to his condition upon his arrival in South America. The Pope will also visit the Peruvian Andean city of Cusco at 3,400 meters above sea level, which some doctors consider potentially problematic for someone with lung issues. Some visitors also complain about altitude sickness.