Can Cancer Spread During Surgery?

Can cancer spread if the surgeon touches the tumour?

This is one thing that people worry about before they have cancer surgery.

Many patients are scared that taking out the tumor will make the cancer spread to parts of the body.

This is not true

Cancer surgery is planned carefully and done in a way that removes the tumor safely and reduces the risk of cancer cells being left behind.

Does Surgery Cause Cancer to Spread?

In most cases, the answer is no.

The cancer does not usually spread just because surgery is done.

The cancer spreads because of how the disease works, not because the surgeon removes the tumour.

Specialist cancer surgeons follow strict rules when they do surgery to remove the tumour safely and protect the healthy tissue around it.

Why Is Surgery Still One Of The Best Treatments For Cancer?

For types of cancer surgery is the best way to get rid of the disease.

It helps by:

• Removing the tumour
• Stopping the cancer from growing
• Reducing symptoms
• Making other treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy work better.

How Do Surgeons Help Prevent Cancer From Spreading?

Cancer surgery is planned carefully before the operation.

Surgeons use techniques to :

• Remove the tumour
• Completely avoid touching the tumor too much
• Remove some healthy tissue around the cancer
• Check the lymph nodes if needed and follow very strict safety rules.

Cancer Surgery: Myth vs Fact

When Is Surgery Recommended?

• Remove the cancer completely
• Confirm the diagnosis
• Make the tumour smaller
• Relieve symptoms or make other cancer treatments work better.

The decision to have surgery depends on:

• The type of cancer
• The stage of the disease
• The position of the tumour and your overall health.

What Happens Before Cancer Surgery?

Before surgery your care team plans the procedure carefully.

This may include:

• Imaging scans
• Blood tests
• A biopsy checking your health and talking to different cancer specialists.

Every treatment plan is made just for you to give you the best outcome.

What Happens After Cancer Surgery?

The road to recovery is different for each person who has cancer surgery. Your doctors and nurses will be with you every step of the way to help you get better.

After you have cancer surgery here are some things you can expect to happen:

• will keep an eye on you
• You will get medicine to help with the pain
• You will need to take care of your wound and go to follow-up appointments
• You will have time to rest and get your strength back

When the cancer tumour is examined after removal, the findings will be shared and explained clearly.

Some people who have cancer surgery do not need to have any treatment. Other people might need to have chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Final Takeaway

Cancer surgery is safe, effective, and life-saving for many patients.

The fear that surgery spreads cancer is a common myth. Medical evidence shows cancer spreads due to its biology, not because a tumor is removed.

When recommended, consultation can help determine if cancer surgery is the most effective step toward recovery and cure.

DOCTOR DETAILS:

Dr. K. V. S. Latha
Senior Consultant
Medical Oncology