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For many, Cancer surgery can be an important step during treatment, and we know the idea of surgery can be daunting. Having clear information and knowing what to expect can help you prepare for what’s ahead and feel more confident as you move through the process.
Our team is here to listen and support you.
Cancer surgery is a common approach to treating cancer, aiming to remove cancerous tissue or repair areas affected by the disease. This procedure typically involves making an incision to access the affected part of the body. A team including surgeons, an anaesthetist, nurses, and technicians work together to perform the operation.
The main aim of cancer surgery is to remove the tumour. In some instances, if the cancer hasn’t spread to other parts of the body, this may be all the treatment you need to cure your cancer.
In other situations, surgery may also be used to prevent cancer when doctors suspect that tissue may become cancerous, to diagnose cancer, determine its stage, or to ease symptoms.
Cancer may also be performed to rebuild a part of the body, such as after a breast removal or skin cancer surgery.
Many cancers found at an early stage can be removed with surgery, and this may be the only treatment needed. Certain types of cancer may require additional treatments alongside surgery, either before, during, or after the procedure.
In some cases, drug therapies or radiation may be given before surgery to help shrink the tumour and make it easier to remove. Radiation or heated chemotherapy is sometimes used during surgery, and radiation or drug therapies may also be recommended after surgery if the tumour couldn’t be fully removed, if the cancer has spread to other areas like the lymph nodes, or if there’s a concern that hidden cancer cells could remain, increasing the risk of the cancer returning.
Your healthcare team will be able to give you specific information about your circumstances, and the best course of action to treat your cancer.
Modern surgical techniques offer a variety of options for your treatment. The approach your doctors take depends on the type of cancer, its location in the body, the surgeon’s training and the equipment available.
While traditional open surgery is still common and effective, many patients can now benefit from keyhole surgery, which uses smaller incisions, and often leads to a faster recovery.
Your surgeon will explain whether you’ll need to stay in hospital or if your procedure can be done as day surgery, helping you prepare for what to expect.
There are many different types of surgery used to diagnose, stage, and treat cancer. Some are considered minor procedures, while others are larger, more complex operations. The specific type of surgery you’ll have depends on factors like the type of cancer, its location and stage, as well as your overall health.
Staging helps determine the size of the cancer and if it has spread, guiding your medical team in recommending the best treatment. During this type of surgery, doctors will take samples (biopsies) from different areas, examine lymph nodes, look for signs of cancer spreading to nearby organs and tissues, and sometimes remove small tumours they find.
Staging is usually done before your main surgery, but it can also be performed after your surgery when tissue and fluids removed during the surgery are examined for cancer cells to better understand the spread.
You may have a biopsy before surgery, which involves using a needle to remove a small number of cells to check for cancer. If the sample isn’t enough for a diagnosis, surgery may be needed to remove the mass for further testing. The biopsy results help your medical team diagnose and stage the cancer and help inform your treatment plan.
Depending on your type and stage of cancer, you may hear some common terms to describe cancer surgery, including:
While each person’s situation is different and processes vary between hospitals, here is a general overview of what you might expect ahead of your cancer surgery.
Your surgeon will ask you to fill out a questionnaire about your medical history, including any allergies and medications, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or supplements, as these could affect the surgery and recovery. Depending on your surgery and health, you may need to attend a pre-admission clinic where your medical team will assess your fitness for surgery and guide you on necessary tests or preparations.
If you don’t need to attend a pre-admission clinic, your surgeon will discuss the surgery and any preparations at a regular appointment. If you’re having private surgery, the anaesthetist may contact you to discuss any concerns from your questionnaire.
On the day of your cancer surgery, you’ll arrive at the hospital at your scheduled admission time. While the exact surgery time may vary, you’ll likely know if it will be in the morning or afternoon. A nurse will help get you ready by reviewing your medical history, checking your vital signs, and confirming the procedure. You may need to change into a surgical gown, and any hair around the surgery site may be clipped. To prevent blood clots, you’ll likely wear compression stockings and may receive a blood-thinning injection.
An anaesthetist will ensure you’re comfortable and pain-free, either by putting you to sleep or numbing the area and will be there to manage your pain and nausea.
There are different types of anaesthetic used for surgery. The type you have will depend on the procedure you are having and your overall health. These include:
Light or conscious sedation: Light sedation involves giving you medication to help you relax and feel sleepy. You’ll still be able to respond to your surgeon’s instructions, but you may not remember the procedure afterwards.
Local anaesthetic: The skin or area being operated on will be numbed, usually through an injection, although drops, sprays, or ointments may also be used. You’ll remain awake during the surgery, but you won’t feel any pain or discomfort, and the numbness typically lasts for several hours to a day.
Regional anaesthetic (nerve block): This involves injecting a local anaesthetic near a nerve or nerves close to the surgical site to numb the area being operated on. You may also receive a light sedative to help you relax, or stronger medication to put you to sleep during the procedure.
General anaesthetic: This involves strong drugs, either injectable or in gas form, that make you fall unconscious during the surgery. It’s often described as a deep, dreamless sleep, though some people may experience side effects like nausea and confusion upon waking up.
How long it will take to recover will depend on your age, the type of surgery you’ve had, and your overall fitness and health. It may take a few days or a week to recover from a small operation, but it can take a few months for a large procedure.
Follow your surgeon’s advice and try to be patient and allow yourself time to recover.
Some Australian hospitals offer programs like ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) to improve recovery. These programs help you take an active role in your care through education on pain management, diet after cancer treatment, and exercise, so you know what to expect before and after surgery.
After cancer surgery, you may experience pain or discomfort, along with side effects from the general anaesthetic, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or agitation.
Occasionally, complications like infection, bleeding, or blood clots can arise, but most are minor and can be treated easily. It’s a good idea to discuss your specific risks with your surgeon.
In most cases, surgery doesn’t cause cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body, as surgeons take careful steps to prevent this. However, for a few cancers, there is a higher risk. For example, most men with testicular cancer have the entire affected testicle removed. This is because removing only part of the testicle can cause cancer cells to spread during surgery. Discuss your individual risks with your surgeon.
Yes, cancer can be cured without surgery, depending on the type and stage of the cancer. Most cancers are treated with surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (also known as radiotherapy). Other treatments, such as hormone therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies, can also be used for some types of cancer.
It’s common to have to wait for surgery. The wait time depends on the type of cancer, its stage, the surgery required, and the hospital’s schedule. The waiting list is usually organised by how urgently surgery is needed, so people are treated in turn but without waiting for periods of time that could be harmful. While most cancer surgeries are elective, they are typically prioritised as urgent, meaning they are recommended to take place within 30 days of you and your surgeon agreeing on the procedure.
The length of time surgery takes depends on the type and extent of the procedure.
The cost of cancer surgery can vary depending on factors like the cancer type, stage, the procedure, your hospital stay, and whether you’re being treated as a public or private patient.
It’s important to know what to expect in terms of costs, including any fees not covered by Medicare or your health insurance.
If you’re a private patient, there may be separate charges for the surgeon, anaesthetist, operating room, and your hospital stay. Ask for a written quote from your surgeon and hospital, and check with your insurer to know what’s covered. If cost is a concern, talk to your surgeon about options for reducing expenses, or consider getting a second opinion or seeking treatment as a public patient.
Medicare provides free or subsidised cancer surgery for Australian citizens and permanent residents when treated as a public patient in a public hospital. It also covers visits to GPs, specialists, and certain medical supplies, like breast prostheses or stoma supplies. However, some costs may not be fully covered, such as consultations with specialists who do not bulk-bill, and Medicare doesn’t cover ambulance services or private health costs. It’s a good idea to talk to your GP to understand what Medicare covers in your situation and whether you may need additional support.
During cancer surgery, an anesthetic is given to prevent pain and discomfort. An anesthesiologist administers the medication and carefully monitors the patient throughout the procedure.
