Surgery to Treat Cancer

Surgery is one of the oldest and most effective treatments for cancer. For many cancers, surgery offers the best chance for a positive outcome, especially when the disease is found early and has not spread beyond its original location. Surgery may also be used alongside treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy as part of a comprehensive cancer care plan. According to the American Cancer Society, surgery remains a cornerstone of cancer treatment and plays an important role in diagnosing, staging, treating, and sometimes preventing cancer.

Why is surgery used to treat cancer?

Cancer surgery is performed by a specially trained surgeon, called surgical oncologist, who has expertise in removing tumors and caring for patients with cancer. Surgery may be recommended for several reasons:

To remove cancer and surrounding tissue with the goal of curing the disease
To diagnose cancer through a biopsy, which removes a sample of tissue for testing
To determine the stage of cancer, helping your oncologist understand whether cancer has spread
To relieve symptoms caused by a tumor, such as pain, bleeding, or blockage of an organ
To reconstruct or restore function after cancer treatment
To reduce cancer risk in certain high-risk individuals through preventive surgery

For many solid tumors, including breast, colorectal, lung, kidney, ovarian, prostate, and melanoma cancers, surgery is often a central part of treatment.

How does surgery help treat cancer?

The primary goal of cancer surgery is to remove all visible cancer while preserving as much normal tissue and function as possible. During surgery, your surgeon often removes the tumor along with a small amount of healthy tissue surrounding it, called a "margin." This helps reduce the risk that microscopic cancer cells remain behind.

In many cases, nearby lymph nodes may also be removed and examined to determine whether cancer has spread. This information helps guide decisions about additional treatments and provides important insight into prognosis.

Surgery may be:

Curative, with the goal of completely removing cancer
Debulking, which removes as much cancer as possible when complete removal is not feasible
Palliative, which improves comfort and quality of life by relieving cancer-related symptoms
Reconstructive, restoring appearance or function after treatment

Common Types of Cancer Surgery

Advances in technology have made many cancer surgeries less invasive and easier to recover from than in the past.

Open surgery: Traditional open surgery involves a larger incision that allows the surgeon direct access to the tumor and surrounding tissues. While still necessary for certain cancers, it often requires a longer recovery period.

Minimally invasive (of which laparoscopic and robotic-assisted are types) surgery: Many cancers can now be treated through smaller incisions using specialized instruments and cameras rather than one larger surgical opening.

During a laparoscopic procedure, a thin tube with a camera, called a laparoscope, is inserted through a small incision, providing detailed images that guide the surgeon during treatment. Specialized instruments are used through additional small incisions to perform the surgery.

Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery that uses a computer-assisted robotic system to help surgeons perform highly precise procedures through several small incisions. During the operation, the surgeon remains in complete control, guiding robotic instruments from a nearby console while viewing a magnified, high-definition image of the surgical area. The robotic system translates the surgeon's hand movements into precise movements of tiny instruments.

Minimally invasive surgery may be used for certain colorectal, gynecologic, kidney, liver, lung, prostate, and other cancers when appropriate. Compared with traditional open surgery, it may offer several benefits, including:

Smaller incisions and less scarring
Reduced pain after surgery
Less blood loss
Shorter hospital stays
Faster recovery and return to normal activities
Lower risk of some complications, such as infection

Not every patient or cancer type is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery. The best approach depends on factors such as the cancer's size, location, stage, and the patient's overall health. Your surgeon will determine whether a minimally invasive procedure can safely and effectively achieve the goals of treatment.

Specialized Surgical Techniques

Certain cancers may be treated using advanced procedures such as:

Laser surgery, which uses focused light beams to destroy cancer cells
Cryosurgery, which destroys abnormal tissue by freezing it
Mohs surgery, commonly used for some skin cancers
Electrosurgery, which uses electrical current to remove tumors

How effective is cancer surgery?

The effectiveness of surgery depends on several factors, including:

The type of cancer
The size and location of the tumor
Whether the cancer has spread
The patient's overall health

When cancer is detected early and remains localized, surgery can often provide the best opportunity for long-term disease control or cure. Even when cancer has spread, surgery may still improve outcomes by reducing tumor burden or relieving symptoms. Surgery is frequently combined with other therapies to increase effectiveness and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Important Considerations Before Surgery

Preparing for surgery can feel overwhelming, but understanding what to expect can help you feel more confident and informed. Consider discussing the following with your Virginia Cancer Specialists care team as you consider surgery:

The goals of surgery
Potential risks and benefits
Expected recovery time
Possible side effects
Whether chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other treatments will be needed before or after surgery
The surgeon's experience treating their specific type of cancer

Seeking a second opinion is also common and can help you make an informed decision about your care.

Risks and Recovery of Surgery to Treat Cancer

As with any medical procedure, cancer surgery carries some degree of risk. Potential complications may include:

Bleeding
Infection
Pain
Blood clots
Reactions to anesthesia
Delayed healing

Recovery varies widely depending on the type and extent of surgery. Some procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return home the same day, while more extensive operations may require several days in the hospital. Most often, you will gradually regain strength and return to normal activities over time, although recovery can take weeks or months after major surgery.

The Importance of a Multidisciplinary Approach to Treat Cancer

Cancer surgery is most effective when it is part of a coordinated, multidisciplinary treatment plan. At Virginia Cancer Specialists, surgeons work closely with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other specialists to develop personalized treatment strategies tailored to each patient's cancer type, stage, overall health, and goals of care.

Advances in imaging, robotic-assisted surgery, precision medicine, and enhanced recovery techniques continue to improve surgical outcomes, allowing for greater precision, fewer complications, faster recovery, and better quality of life. As one of the most effective tools for treating many cancers, surgery, when combined with modern therapies and comprehensive supportive care, plays a vital role in helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes.

Related Treatment Areas & Resources

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If you have questions about whether this treatment or service may be right for you, make an appointment with the Virginia Cancer Specialists team.