Pope Francis Had Lung Removed During Childhood

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio chosen as the first Latin American pope had his lung removed due to infection during childhood.

According to a media report, Pope Francis, 76, had one of his lungs removed because of an infection.

Lung Biopsy - Indications - Procedures - Risks - FAQs - Reference
The procedure by which tissue samples are obtained from the lung is known as lung biopsy. The biopsy tissues obtained from the lungs are examined by a pathologist.

Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn, said there are several reasons the new pope could have had his lung removed about six decades ago, ABC News reports.

He said that Pope Francis could have had tuberculosis, or he could have had a complication of whooping cough, or pertussis.

According to Dr. Schaffner, the Pope could also have had pneumonia and developed complications, or he could have been born with a congenital lung defect that got infected.

Introduction Of Infections
Birth defects are abnormalities, which occur before the birth of the baby and can be caused due to genetic, environmental and other unknown reasons.

Although these infections would have been more common in a middle-aged person than a teenager, Schaffner said they're the most likely possibilities given the limited information about the lung removal, the report said.

According to the report, when asked whether a person can survive with one lung, Schaffner said, 'people can easily live' as lungs are redundant.

The Lungs
The lungs are our organs of respiration. It is within these, that exchange of gases takes place.

Source-ANI

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