TAMPA - This spring, Tampa General Hospital will become the only Bay area facility to offer lung transplants.

Tampa General Hospital has received approval to start a lung transplant program for adult patients in the spring.

"It {lung transplantation} is a natural extension," said TGH President Bruce Siegel, announcing the state approval at a Monday news conference. Lung transplants are considered an extreme, lifesaving measure for such illnesses as emphysema and cystic fibrosis. They also are done in some cancer cases.