The standard resections for primary lung cancer include lobectomy or pneumonectomy depending on the size and location of the tumor. Limited resections, including segmentectomy or wedge resection of the lung, are the standard treatment for limited metastases and are good alternatives for patients with primary lung cancer and poor lung function who cannot tolerate a larger resection. However, a prospective randomized trial to address the role of limited resection for primary lung cancer was performed by the Lung Cancer Study Group in 276 patients with T1N0 NSCLC. Patients in the limited resection group suffered a 50-75% increase in local recurrence rate, but no survival difference was seen between the two groups. Limited resection however should continue to be viewed as a good option for metastasectomy but a compromising operation for primary lung cancer.