|
|
|
Types and Risks of Surgery
Types of Surgery
Surgery is done for different purposes:
- Prophylactic surgery is aimed at preventing cancer
when there is a good chance that a particular
body tissue will become cancerous in the future.
- Staging surgery determines the extent
of the cancer, or how large it is and how much
it has spread throughout the body. This is very
important to help determine the course of treatment.
- Curative surgery is the removal of
the entire tumor. Even after curative surgery,
you may still receive chemotherapy or radiation
to kill micrometastases—cancer cells
that may still be in the body but cannot be detected
by current technology.
- Debulking surgery is when the entire
cancer cannot be removed without serious damage
to the body. As a result, the surgeon takes out
only that portion of the tumor that can be removed
safely. The rest of the tumor may be killed with
radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
- Palliative surgery is a type of surgery
that does not treat the underlying disease but
helps control symptoms of cancer, such as pain.
- Restorative or reconstructive surgery,
commonly called plastic surgery, restores
the function and appearance of an area after
a previous surgery.
Surgery takes different forms:
- Cryosurgery involves the use of liquid
nitrogen or a very cold probe to freeze cancer
cells.
- Electrosurgery uses an electrical
current to destroy cancer cells.
- Laser surgery is surgery in which
a beam of light is used instead of a scalpel.
- Mohs surgery is the removal of skin
cancer by shaving off one layer at a time. The
dermatologist (skin doctor) looks at each layer
under a microscope. When the layers look normal
(no cancer), the surgeon stops removing skin.
Risks of Surgery
Surgery involves risks and side effects, depending
on the type of surgery you have and the expertise
and experience of the surgeon and hospital.
Generally, the more invasive or complicated the surgery, the greater
the risk of side effects.
If you choose to have surgery, the surgeon will tell you about
all of the known possible risks, side effects, and benefits associated
with your specific surgical procedure.
 |
 |
|
Consider Getting
a Second Opinion
Before you have surgery, it may be worthwhile
to get a second opinion from another surgeon
and ask about the track record of his or her
hospital. It is very common and appropriate
to get a second opinion.
|
|
|
|
|
In addition to surgery, chemotherapy is another way to treat cancer.
Learn more about treating
cancer with chemotherapy.
UNDERSTANDING CANCER
TREATING CANCER WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE EFFECTS
TREATING CANCER IN OTHER WAYS
TRACKING YOUR TEST RESULTS
UNDERSTANDING INSURANCE AND TAX ISSUES: INSURANCE TIPS
WEB RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONS
TOOLS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR CANCER INFORMATION
FOR CAREGIVERS
GLOSSARY OF CANCER TERMS
REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS
FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
