For certain types of cancer, surgery is the best treatment. You might need surgery to:
- find out what type of cancer you have
- see if the cancer has spread (possibly a biopsy, a short operation to remove some cells so they can be studied)
- remove cancer that has not spread
- remove as much of a cancer as possible, if it is severe
- help get rid of or cope with symptoms, like pain
Side effects of surgery depend on the type of cancer and type of surgery. Some people have no side effects; others have some or many side effects. No one can know for sure exactly which side effects you might have until after your surgery.
Following surgery, members of your health care team will meet with you to discuss the outcome of your surgery and next steps.