When someone is diagnosed with cancer, surgery is often one of the treatment options discussed. But surgery is not suitable for every cancer or every patient.

Depending on the type, stage and location of cancer, surgery may be used to remove a tumor, help confirm a diagnosis, determine the extent of disease, relieve symptoms, or reconstruct an area affected by cancer treatment.

The role of surgery can also change during the course of treatment. Some patients may have surgery as their main treatment, while others may need chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy before or after an operation.

What Is Cancer Surgery?

Cancer surgery is a treatment or diagnostic procedure in which a surgeon removes cancerous tissue or performs another operation related to the diagnosis or management of cancer.

The goal depends on the individual situation.

Surgery may be performed to:

• Diagnose cancer
• Remove a tumor
• Determine the cancer’s stage
• Reduce symptoms
• Treat complications
• Reconstruct affected areas
• In some cases, control or potentially cure the cancer

The decision to recommend surgery depends on factors such as the cancer type, tumor location, stage, overall health and whether the tumor can be safely removed.

1. Surgery to Diagnose Cancer

Although a biopsy is often performed using a needle or other minimally invasive technique, some situations require a surgical procedure to obtain tissue.

A surgeon may remove part or all of a suspicious growth so that it can be examined by a pathologist.

Types may include:

Incisional biopsy:
Only part of the suspicious area is removed.

Excisional biopsy:
The entire suspicious lump or lesion may be removed.

The tissue is then examined to determine whether cancer is present and, when applicable, identify its type and characteristics.

2. Surgery to Remove a Cancerous Tumor

One of the most familiar uses of cancer surgery is removing the tumor from the body.

When a cancer is localized and can be safely removed, surgery may form an important part of treatment.

Depending on the cancer, the surgeon may remove:

• The tumor
• A portion of the affected organ
• The entire affected organ
• Nearby tissues
• Nearby lymph nodes

The objective is to remove the cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue and normal function as safely possible.

For some cancers, surgery may offer the possibility of removing all visible cancer. However, whether surgery can achieve this depends on the individual cancer and its extent.

3. Surgery for Cancer Staging

Surgery can sometimes help doctors determine how far cancer has spread.

During an operation, surgeons may examine or remove nearby lymph nodes or other tissues.

The removed tissue is then sent to a pathology laboratory for examination.

This information can help determine whether cancer has spread beyond the original tumor and may contribute to the final cancer stage.

Why does staging matter?

Cancer stage helps the medical team understand the extent of disease and plan further treatment.

For example, the treatment approach for a localized tumor can be very different from treatment for cancer that has spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant organs.

4. Surgery to Relieve Cancer Symptoms

Surgery is not always performed with the goal of completely removing cancer.

Sometimes, it is used to relieve symptoms or prevent serious complications caused by a tumor.

This type of surgery is often called palliative surgery.

Depending on the cancer, surgery may help with problems such as:

• Blockage of the digestive tract
• Difficulty eating or swallowing
• Bleeding
• Pressure caused by a tumor
• Pain caused by certain tumors
• Obstruction of an organ

The goal is to improve comfort, function and quality of life.

Palliative surgery is different from surgery intended to cure cancer, although it can still play an important role in cancer care.

5. Surgery to Treat Cancer-Related Complications

Some tumors can interfere with normal organ function.

For example, a tumor may block a passage, cause bleeding or create pressure on nearby structures.

In selected situations, surgery may be used to address the complication and restore or improve normal function.

The appropriate approach depends on the location and type of cancer and the patient’s overall condition.

6. Reconstructive Surgery After Cancer Treatment

Cancer surgery can sometimes change the appearance or function of part of the body.

Reconstructive surgery may be considered to help restore appearance, structure or function after tumor removal.

Depending on the cancer, reconstruction may involve:

• Rebuilding tissue
• Restoring part of an organ
• Skin or soft-tissue reconstruction
• Breast reconstruction
• Reconstruction following head and neck cancer surgery

Reconstruction may be performed during the same operation as cancer removal or at a later stage, depending on the patient’s circumstances and treatment plan.

Can Surgery Cure Cancer?

For some cancers, particularly cancers that are localized and can be completely removed, surgery may be an important part of potentially curative treatment.

However, surgery does not cure every cancer.

Cancer may have already spread to distant organs, or the tumor may be located where complete removal would not be safe or possible.

In these situations, other treatments may be recommended either instead of surgery or together with surgery.

Can Surgery Be Combined With Other Cancer Treatments?

Yes.

Cancer treatment often involves more than one type of therapy.

Depending on the diagnosis, patients may receive:

Surgery + Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink a tumor or after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer returning.

Surgery + Radiation Therapy

Radiation may be used before or after surgery depending on the cancer and treatment plan.

Surgery + Targeted Therapy or Immunotherapy

For certain cancers, molecular or biomarker information may identify patients who could benefit from targeted medicines or immunotherapy alongside other treatments.

The order and combination of treatments depend on the specific cancer.

What Determines Whether Cancer Surgery Is Appropriate?

Not every patient with cancer is a candidate for surgery.

Doctors generally consider several factors.

Cancer Type

Different cancers behave differently and respond differently to surgery.

Cancer Stage

The stage indicates how extensive the cancer is and whether it has spread.

Tumor Location

The tumor’s location and relationship to nearby organs, blood vessels and other structures can affect whether it can be safely removed.

Overall Health

Heart, lung and kidney function, nutrition, age, other medical conditions and general fitness may influence surgical planning.

Operability

Doctors need to determine whether the cancer can be removed safely and whether surgery is likely to provide meaningful benefit.

Patient Preferences

The patient’s goals, expectations and preferences are also important when deciding on treatment.

What Happens Before Cancer Surgery?

Before surgery, the medical team may perform several evaluations.

These can include:

• Physical examination
• Blood tests
• CT or MRI scans
• PET scans when appropriate
• Biopsy and pathology review
• Evaluation of lymph nodes
• Heart or lung assessment when required
• Anesthesia evaluation

The oncology team may also discuss whether chemotherapy, radiation or another treatment should be given before surgery.

What Happens After Cancer Surgery?

Recovery depends on the type and extent of surgery.

After the operation, the medical team monitors recovery and manages pain, nutrition, mobility and other aspects of postoperative care.

The removed tumor and other tissues may be sent to pathology.

The final pathology report can provide important information about:

• Tumor type
• Tumor size
• Cancer characteristics
• Lymph-node involvement
• Surgical margins
• Other features relevant to treatment

Your cancer team uses these findings, along with imaging and other information, to determine the next steps.

What Are Surgical Margins?

A surgical margin refers to the edge of the tissue removed during cancer surgery.

Pathologists examine the margin to determine whether cancer cells are present at the edge of the removed tissue.

A clear or negative margin generally means no cancer cells were identified at the examined edge, while a positive margin means cancer cells are present at the edge.

Your surgeon and pathologist interpret these findings together with the rest of the pathology report.

Is Cancer Surgery Always Necessary?

No.

Some cancers can be treated effectively without surgery, while others may require surgery as a central part of treatment.

Treatment can include:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Hormone therapy
• A combination of treatments

The best approach depends on the individual patient and cancer type.

Why Is a Multidisciplinary Cancer Team Important?

Cancer treatment is often most effective when different specialists work together.

Depending on the diagnosis, the team may include:

• Surgical oncologist
• Medical oncologist
• Radiation oncologist
• Pathologist
• Radiologist
• Anesthesiologist
• Specialist nurses
• Nutrition and rehabilitation professionals

Together, they can review the diagnosis and determine whether surgery should be performed and how it should fit into the overall treatment plan.

When Should You Consult a Surgical Oncologist?

If you have been diagnosed with cancer or have a tumor that may require surgical evaluation, consulting a surgical oncologist can help you understand your options.

A specialist can review your:

• Biopsy report
• Pathology results
• CT/MRI/PET scans
• Cancer stage
• Previous treatments
• Overall health

Based on these findings, the doctor can explain whether surgery may be appropriate and whether additional treatment may be needed.

Book a Consultation With Dr. Sudam Sadangi

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and needs expert guidance regarding surgery and treatment options, timely specialist evaluation can help you understand the available approaches.

Dr. Sudam Sadangi, Onco Surgeon in Bhubaneswar, provides cancer evaluation, surgical oncology care and personalized treatment guidance.

📞 Call for Appointment: +91 7854841519

📍 Location: IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

📧 Email: sudamscb@gmail.com