US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has had two cancerous nodules removed from one of her lungs.

Last month, the 85-year-old judge suffered rib fractures after a fall.

In a statement today, a Supreme Court spokesperson said the two nodules in the lower lobe of Justice Ginsburg's left lung were discovered 'incidentally' during tests following last month's accident.

After the judge underwent a pulmonary lobectomy in a New York hospital today, surgeons found that the nodules appeared to be malignant - but there was no evidence of any remaining disease following the operation.

The statement notes: "Currently, no further treatment is planned.

"Justice Ginsburg is resting comfortably and is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days."

Ruth Bader Ginsburg has served on the Supreme Court for 25 years, having been appointed to the lifetime position by Bill Clinton.

She's one of the best-known justices in the court - often referred to as the 'Notorious RBG' in pop culture - and is considered a member of its 'liberal wing'.

Prior to her appointment to the court, her work as a lawyer and academic often focused on issues such as gender equality and women's rights.

A new documentary on the judge is set for release here in January.