Cancer Surgery
Cancer surgery remains a leading option for removing cancer from the body. Your physician may recommend surgery for a variety of reasons, including diagnosing, removing and relieving the symptoms of various types of cancer. Surgery may be the only treatment necessary or just one part of a broader treatment plan that may include chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
SSM Health surgical oncologists are some of the best in their fields. If surgery is recommended, they will discuss your options and suggest the best course of treatment.
What are common reasons to have cancer surgery?
Please note not all surgical options are available at every location or best suited for every patient.
This surgery process is designed to remove as much of a tumor as possible when complete eradication (due to proximity to vital organs or tissue) is not possible.
Your physician may perform a biopsy to remove all or part of a tumor to determine if a growth is cancerous.
Relieving pain, restoring physical function from a tumor putting pressure on nerves, blocking the bowel, or stopping bleeding are all part of surgical procedures used palliatively. Supportive surgeries such as inserting a feeding tube are also palliative.
If you are predisposed to certain types of cancers because of genetics, or have pre-cancerous polyps or growths, you may choose to have tissues or organs removed as a preventative measure.
Surgery is often the best option for completely removing cancerous growths and surrounding tissue from the body.
Following surgery to remove a tumor, or a preventive surgery, patients may choose to restore the body’s appearance. Reconstructive surgery may be done at the time the tumor is removed. Or it may be performed after the patient has healed or received additional treatment.
Surgical removal of all or part of a tumor, can be tested to determine the progression, or stage, of a cancer.
When a cancerous tumor is localized to a specific area of the body, curative or primary surgery is performed to remove cancerous growths and surrounding tissue known as the margin. Tumor removal may also be done with larger incisions through skin, muscle and even bone.
If you’re facing surgery as a treatment for your cancer, consider getting a second opinion from an SSM Health surgical oncologist. They will take the time to explain the types of surgery available to you, so you can move forward with confidence.