Hematology and Oncology

Types of Surgery for Cancer Treatment

Several types of surgery are helpful to people with cancer. Some surgeries are used in combination with other types of treatment. Curative surgical operations are conducted to remove or destroy cancerous tissue. In a preventive surgery, the surgeon removes tissue that does not yet contain cancer cells, but has the probability of becoming cancerous in the future. The major role of surgery in the diagnosis of cancer lies in the acquisition of tissue for exact histologic diagnosis. Debulking is the reduction of as much of the bulk (volume) of a tumour as possible. It is usually achieved by surgical removal. Surgery to relieve distressing symptoms in an individual with no hope of cure or intent to lengthen their lifespan is considered palliative. Supportive surgery helps make other cancer treatments work effectively. Restorative or reconstructive surgery restores the body’s appearance, or the function of an organ or body part, after major surgery, such as a breast reconstruction after a mastectomy.