Cancer Surgery Explained: When and How It Works

Surgery for cancer is one of the most widely used primary treatments, especially for early-stage cancer.

The primary goal of surgery is to remove as much of the cancerous tumor as possible from the body, thereby reducing the number of cancer cells, increasing the chances of a cure, and improving the effectiveness of other treatments.

Surgery remains a key treatment for many types of cancer and is often used in combination with other therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted therapy.

What is cancer surgery?

Cancer surgery is a treatment where a surgeon performs surgery to remove

the cancerous tumor
the surrounding tissue
and related lymph nodes

from the body in order to control the disease as much as possible and reduce the risk of metastasis or recurrence.

How Does Cancer Surgery Help?

Cancer surgery can be used for several purposes:

1) Curative Surgery

Removing the entire tumor to achieve a cure, especially in early-stage cancer.

2) ช่วยวินิจฉัยโรค Diagnostic Surgery

Obtaining tissue samples to confirm cancer type and stage.

3) Debulking Surgery

Reducing tumor size to improve the effectiveness of other treatments.

4) Palliative Surgery

Relieving symptoms such as pain or organ obstruction to improve quality of life.

Types of Cancer Surgery

There are several surgical techniques, depending on the cancer type and patient condition:

Open surgery : Suitable for large chunks or those found deep inside.
Laparoscopic Surgery : Small wound, less pain, faster recovery.
Robotic Surgery : Increase accuracy while minimizing damage to normal tissue.
Diagnostic surgery is used to confirm the disease and stage of cancer.
Surgery for symptom relief, focusing on the patient's quality of life.

Is surgery alone sufficient for treating cancer?

Not always. Many types of cancer require a combination of treatments, such as

Chemotherapy before or after surgery
Radiation therapy in combination
Targeted Therapy หรือ Immunotherapy

To increase the chances of disease control and reduce recurrence.

Who is suitable for cancer surgery?

Doctors will consider several factors, such as:

The type and stage of cancer
The size and location of the tumor
The spread of the disease
Patient’s overall health

Therefore, evaluation by a team of specialist physicians and multidisciplinary meetings (MDT) are very important.

In summary, why is surgery for cancer important?

Surgery for cancer is the primary treatment method that significantly improves the chances of recovery, especially in the early stages. It also plays a crucial role in diagnosis, reducing symptoms, and supporting other treatment options. If cancer is detected early, appropriate surgery is planned, and comprehensive treatment is provided, the chances of better disease control and quality of life increase accordingly.

To assess whether surgery is suitable for your cancer, you can send test results or X-rays to our medical team to help evaluate the treatment plan.