For many types of cancer, especially those that have not spread to other parts of the body, surgery may be the best treatment option. Most people with cancer will have some type of surgery.? ?

How is it used?

Surgery is the oldest form of cancer treatment. It offers the greatest chance for cure for many types of cancer, especially those that have not yet spread to other parts of the body.

There are several kinds of surgery.? Surgery that removes the entire tumor? is called? curative surgery. It is done when there is hope of taking out all of the cancer.? Sometimes removing a tumor entirely would cause too much damage to an organ or surrounding areas, so the doctor will remove only part of the tumor. This is called debulking surgery.? In some cases,? the? tumor? may cause? discomfort,? ? and the doctor will perform? palliative surgery? to help relieve the pain.

In addition to traditional surgery, newer technologies are also being used to treat cancer, including:

• Laser surgery: Uses a beam of light energy to? wipe out? cancer cells.
• Cryosurgery: Uses liquid nitrogen or a cold probe (slender, flexible rod) to freeze and kill? cancer cells.?
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): Uses a hot probe? to heat and destroy cancer cells.?

Side Effects

Patients may experience certain side effects with surgery, such as: excessive bleeding during or? after the procedure, pain at the surgical site,? reactions to anesthesia or other medicines? used,? and infection.

As with all treatment options,? it is? always important to talk with your physician about what is right for you.