Surgery

Surgery involves the removal of cancerous tissue from the body. It is the primary treatment for many types of cancer, and some cancers can be cured with surgery. Surgery can also confirm a diagnosis (biopsy), determine how far a person's cancer has advanced (staging), relieve side effects (such as an obstruction), or ease pain (palliative surgery).

Some types of surgery can be performed in a clinic or doctor's office instead of the hospital. This is called outpatient surgery. Most cancer surgeries, though, will be performed in a hospital. Before surgery, consider preparing a list of questions for the surgeon. Carefully review with your doctor any preparation you may need before surgery.

Learn more about:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Surgery
• Biological therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Targeted cancer therapies
• Gene Therapy