Quality of Life and Pain Outcomes Following Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) Anatomic Lung Resection Versus Thoracotomy and Anatomic Lung Resection

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients with histologically confirmed or suspected clinical stage I non small cell lung cancer (including carcinoid tumors) based on standard staging (CT, PET, ± mediastinoscopy).
Patients offered a VATS anatomic lung resection or a standard, posterolateral thoracotomy and anatomic lung resection at MSKCC.
Patients cannot have had prior therapy, including surgery for the current lesion, systemic chemotherapy or external beam radiotherapy.
KPS ≥ 70.
Synchronous primaries within one lobe.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients who have already undergone the planned operation.
Patients who cannot tolerate segmentectomy or lobectomy.
Patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease found either preoperatively or at the time of operation.
Patients who are non- English speaking
Patients with multi-focal disease
Patients with con-current cancers
Patients with benign disease.
Patients who are unwilling or unable to return to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for postoperative follow-up for the first year following their operation.