Cancer Surgery
Surgery is a medical procedure to examine, remove or repair tissue (Canadian Cancer Society).
Surgery is the most common way to treat cancer and is often the first step in diagnosis and treatment for a patient. Certain types of cancer may only need surgery, while other types might need surgery plus another type of treatment (chemotherapy, radiation or immunotherapy).
You might have surgery if your Oncologist or Surgeon needs to look at, remove or repair tissue.
Surgery can:
- Prevent cancer
- Diagnose and stage cancer
- Remove cancer
- Help relieve symptoms from cancer
- Repair damaged tissue
- Lower the chance of cancer recurrence (cancer coming back)
- Support other treatments for your cancer (e.g. chemotherapy, radiation)
Surgery Facts
- Surgeons (doctors that are trained to do surgery) will do their best to limit damage to your body or tissues during surgery. This helps to lower the amount of stress your body goes through
Websites for Cancer Surgery Information
All of the links below will open in a new window.
- Surgery In Cancer Treatment - Canadian Cancer Society
- Cancer Surgery - American Cancer Society
- Surgery- Cancer Care Ontario
- Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology