Surgery

Surgery is a common treatment for cancer. It works best for cancer that has not spread. Surgery may be the only treatment you need. Many people need other treatments before or after surgery.^1,2

This article covers how surgery is used to treat cancer. Surgery may also be used to diagnose or prevent cancer. Talk to your healthcare team about your specific procedure.^1,2

What is surgery for cancer?

Surgery is a procedure to directly remove cancer from the body. Doctors may remove some nearby healthy tissue. Nearby healthy tissue is called the margin.²

Surgeries are performed by doctors with special training in cancer surgery. These are called surgical oncologists. Other specialists will also be involved.²

Surgery often requires doctors to make cuts on your body. They may need to cut through skin, muscle, or bone. You typically will take drugs to keep you from feeling pain. This is called anesthesia. You may only need to numb the surgery area. Other procedures require you to be sedated or asleep.^1,3

How does surgery help treat cancer?

Surgery works best to treat solid tumors contained in 1 part of the body. Surgery is used to treat many types of cancer. It cannot be used to directly treat blood cancer. The goal of surgery is different for everyone.^1,2

Your doctor may use surgery to try to cure cancer. This may be possible if cancer has not spread and all of it can be removed. You may receive treatments before surgery to shrink the tumor. You may also receive treatment after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.^1,2

Removing all the cancer may not be possible. If this is the case, doctors may use surgery to remove as much as possible. This is called debulking surgery. After surgery, you may have other treatments to destroy remaining cancer cells.^1,2

Surgery may also ease symptoms and provide comfort. Certain procedures can reduce pain, stop bleeding, or remove blockages. These types of surgery do not treat cancer itself, but rather the symptoms of having cancer.^1,2

Types of surgery to treat cancer

Some types of cancer surgery use a large cut to remove tumors. Other types use equipment that makes the cut smaller. Some types of surgery do not need a cut. The right type of surgery depends on many factors. The location, type, and stage of cancer all play a role.^1,2

The main types of cancer surgery include:^1,2

• Open surgery – using a large cut to remove the cancer and look at nearby organs
• Minimally invasive surgery – using a few small cuts to insert a small camera and remove the tumor (such as laparoscopic surgery)
• Surgery without cuts – using lasers, heat, or cold to destroy cancer cells

Open surgery allows doctors to remove as much cancer as possible. It can reduce damage to other organs. Doctors can also access nearby parts of the body. Recovery from open surgery will often take longer.^1,2

What are the possible side effects of surgery?

Doctors will try to prevent problems during surgery. However, surgery does have some risks. Your risk depends on the type of surgery, part of the body, and other factors.⁴

Common side effects of cancer surgery include:⁴

• Pain in the surgical area
• Infection
• Bleeding or bruising
• Fatigue
• Appetite loss
• Swelling or numbness
• Damage to nearby organs
• Reactions to anesthesia drugs

Your doctor can suggest ways to prevent and manage these side effects. Some cancer surgeries can change how your body looks and functions. Long-term side effects are possible.⁴

These are not all the possible side effects of cancer surgery. Talk to your doctor about what to expect with cancer surgery. Call your doctor if you notice any changes that concern you.

Other things to know about surgery

Your healthcare team will talk to you about preparing for surgery. They may perform tests and exams. These tests will help them operate safely. You may not be able to eat or drink before the surgery. Follow your healthcare team’s instructions.¹

Surgery can happen in a doctor’s office or hospital. The location depends on the type of surgery and other factors. Some people do not need to stay overnight. Others will stay 1 or more nights to recover.¹

After surgery, your healthcare team will discuss recovery. They will talk with you about:^1,5

• How to take care of wounds
• How to control pain and monitor your health
• When to see the doctor again to make sure you are healing
• What activities you can and cannot do
• When to return to work
• If you need any special diets