When someone has cancer, they often need to have surgery. The surgery can sometimes be very simple, for example the removal of a small tumor. It can become complex if the tumor has grown to involve nearby organs, tissues and glands.

In some cases, more than one procedure is required. The first one, a biopsy, is used to see if cancer is present. This may be done by cutting and sampling a piece of tissue, or using a hollow needle to obtain a cell sample. Staging provides information about the size, spread, and type of cancer. Many tests may be done to determine this, such as blood and tissue tests, and X-rays. Another surgery may be planned to remove as much affected tissue as possible.

Sometimes surgery can completely cure cancer. This is more likely when the tumor is at an early stage. When it is not possible to totally remove all the area affected with cancer surgically, other types of treatment may be used. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy used alone or in combination are most common.

Palliative surgery is another kind of cancer treatment. It can relieve pain and other symptoms caused by the tumor. It can help you be more able to perform your daily tasks and improve the quality of your life. This kind of surgery is not likely to cure the cancer, and may not even prolong life. Its goal is give the person more comfort and allow them to be able to do what they want and need.

To learn more about the surgical treatment of cancer, call your local chapter of the American Cancer Society, or call (800) ACS-2345 or the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER.

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