Perioperative care of the thoracic oncologic patient undergoing EBUS, thoracotomy, and pneumonectomy

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancerrelated deaths in the United States, categorized into small cell and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The higher-occurring NSCLC accounts for 85% of lung cancer cases in the United States. Due to its late presentation at diagnosis, NSCLC has a poor prognostic outcome. The insidious process of NSCLC necessitates accurate diagnosis and prompt disease treatment and management by an interdisciplinary team. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration is utilized for staging mediastinal lymph nodes and is usually performed under general anesthesia. Upon diagnosis, disease management of NSCLC is based upon tumor stage and clinical presentation.