UPMC Department of Thoracic Surgery Receives Top Ratings from STS
February 13, 2026
The UPMC Department of Thoracic Surgery recently received top ratings from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for both resection for primary lung cancer and esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.
According to STS public reporting, the UPMC Department of Thoracic Surgery received an “as expected” rating during the reporting period from July 2022 to June 2025. This rating reflects performance consistent with excellent outcomes for those procedures.
During the reporting period, UPMC performed 1,260 lung cancer resection procedures, making UPMC the highest volume lung cancer surgery program in the region, and among the top two highest volume programs in the nation.
The program achieved an overall composite quality score of 98.8% for lung cancer resection. The mortality rate for the procedure at UPMC hospitals was 0.5%, outperforming the national average of 0.8%. In addition, the median postoperative length of stay after a primary lung resection was aligned with the national average of three days.
The UPMC Department of Thoracic Surgery also performed 201 esophagectomy procedures during the same period from July 2022 to June 2025, placing it amongst the top three highest volume esophagectomy programs in the nation. UPMC achieved a composite score of 93.7%. This included a 97.4% rate of cases without operative mortality and a 74% rate without major morbidity.
The UPMC Department of Thoracic Surgery is committed to surgical excellence and patient-centered care that extends beyond the operating room. The team remains a nationally recognized leader in minimally invasive thoracic oncology and continuously strives to improve patient outcomes.
For complete ratings details and methodology, visit the STS website.
