What type of doctor treats and operates on patients with lung diseases?

The type of doctor who treats and operates on patients with lung diseases is a thoracic surgeon. This specialty focuses specifically on surgical procedures involving the chest, including the lungs, esophagus, and other structures within the thoracic cavity. Thoracic surgeons are trained to handle various conditions such as lung cancer, emphysema, and other pulmonary issues, employing both minimally invasive techniques and traditional surgery to improve patient outcomes.

Surgeons as a general category may perform a wide range of surgeries across different specialties but do not focus solely on lung diseases. Pediatricians primarily care for children's health issues and are not specialized in lung diseases. Physiatrists focus on rehabilitation and physical medicine, which does not include surgical treatment of lung conditions. Therefore, the specialization and training of thoracic surgeons make them the correct choice for treating lung diseases.