Roles of Cancer Surgery
Diagnostic
Biopsies obtain tissue to confirm cancer.
Staging
Lymph node sampling determines spread.
Curative
Removal of the tumor with clear margins.
Debulking & Palliative
Reduces tumor burden or relieves symptoms.
Preventive
Risk-reducing surgery for high-risk mutation carriers.
Reconstructive
Restores form and function, such as breast reconstruction.
Modern Techniques
- Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery for faster recovery
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy to avoid unnecessary node removal
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols
- HIPEC for selected abdominal cancers
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
- How many of these procedures do you perform each year?
- Will I need treatment before or after surgery?
- What is the expected recovery time?
- What are the risks of this operation?
Medically reviewed content for education only — not a substitute for advice from your oncology team.