Surgery for cancer: Removing Cancerous growth

Surgery for cancer basically targets extraction of the tumorous outgrowth and neighboring cells. Surgical removal is the oldest treatment for cancer. A special oncological surgeon does the surgery to remove the cancerous outgrowth. An oncosurgeon usually performs surgery in the initial stages of cancer.

Indications for surgery:

Cancer surgery is indicated in either of these conditions to:

• Confirm the diagnosis of cancer.
• Remove the cancerous outgrowth along with its neighboring cells.
• Find the exact location of cancer.
• Ensure metastasis has started.
• Relieve side effects.
• Restore the function and structure of the body.

Types of cancer surgery:

The different types of cancer surgery are:

• Diagnostic Surgery: this surgery is mainly done for a biopsy, which is the main way to diagnose cancer. A biopsy can either be incisional where only a part of the suspicious area is removed, or the suspicious area is completely removed.
• Staging Surgery is mainly done to figure out the tumor’s size and find the extent of cancer.
• Tumor removal surgery or curative surgery in which the surgeon removes the tumor and the neighboring cells.
• Debulking surgery is mainly performed in cases where the surgeon cannot remove the entire tumor as it could damage the body. For these types of cases, a surgeon cannot obliterate the tumor surgically (means complete removal). The patient must undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• Palliative Surgery, as the name suggests, is a surgery to palliate or provide relief from symptoms caused by the tumor, such as:

To palliate symptoms that cause pain or affects physical function:

• Compression of the spinal cord due to an overgrowth in the spine.
• Blockage in the bowel or the intestine.

Check here: Top 38 Accredited Cancer Hospitals from India

(Know more about Best Oncologists/Oncosurgeons in India.)

To prevent bleeding in certain cases as in:

• Uterine Cancer, where the patient experiences heavy bleeding.
• In places with soft tissues such as cancer of the esophagus, bowel, or stomach, any passage of any food or waste products causes heavy bleeding.
• Certain medications may cause bleeding as a side effect. In such cases, suture ligation surgery is performed to prevent blood loss.
• To insert feeding tubes, especially for patients who cannot eat food and even administer medicines.
• Reconstruction surgery is useful for reconstructing the physical appearance of the body. This surgery is generally performed after the removal of a tumor.
• The prevention surgery is for people who have a family history of cancer. It prevents the onset of cancer. Preventive cancer surgery is beneficial for women who have a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Have you heard about famous Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie proactively undergoing a double mastectomy? Cancer specialist/oncosurgeon took the proactive step to prevent the risk of ovarian or breast cancer associated with a faulty gene.

Types of minimally invasive surgery:

• Laparoscopic Surgery
• Laser Surgery
• Cryosurgery
• Microscopically Controlled Surgery

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