Review of contemporary publication on the operability of lung cancer in the Czech Republic and in other countries is presented. Since 1912, when 374 cases of lung cancer were described, the incidence has risen and culminated towards the end of the 20th century. From the available treatment modalities, surgery gives the best results. An overview of papers describing the beginning of thoracic surgery in the Monde and in the Czech Republic is given. In the Czech Republic during 2002, 11.3 % of all lung cancers were resected. From the TRN clinics in the Czech Republic about 20 to 27 % of patients are recommended. In the leading world centres the operability is higher – about 25 to 35 % of patients. The improvement of operability of lung cancer is possible namely by the increase of timely diagnosed tumors and by more frequent use of neoadjuvant medication in the treatment algorithms.

        Key words: lung cancer, operability.