One type of surgery for cancer is curative. This procedure takes out the cancerous tumor or growth from the body. Surgeons use curative surgery when the cancerous tumor is in 1 certain part of the body. This type of treatment is often the main treatment. But other types of cancer treatments, such as radiation, may be used before or after the surgery.
It's important to communicate your feelings, questions, and concerns with your healthcare provider before having surgery. Take notes, or ask a family member or friend to go with you and take notes for you. Here are some questions to get you started.
How should you prepare for surgery? That depends on the type of surgery and type of anesthesia that will be used. Read on to learn more.
The surgical team is made up many providers. These include a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, a certified registered nurse anesthetist, and an operating room nurse. Read on to learn more.
Many surgeons order routine lab tests before surgery. These tests help find possible problems that might complicate surgery if not found and treated early.
During surgery, you will be given some form of anesthesia - medication administered for the relief of pain and sensation during surgery. The type and dosage of anesthesia is determined by the anesthesiologist.
The decision to have surgery is an important one. Here is a checklist to help you prepare. You'll need to arrange a time for any preoperative lab tests and for an interview with the anesthesiologist. Check with your health plan regarding costs and coverage of the surgery.
It's normal to expect a certain amount of pain after surgery, but if the pain does not subside with pain medication, you may have a more serious problem. Your doctors and nurses will ask about your pain because they want you to be comfortable.
Your medical team may advise 1 of several different types of surgery as part of your cancer treatment. These types include cryosurgery, laser surgery, microsurgery, and electrosurgery.