Cancer surgery for young people

Cancer surgery involves your cancer being removed under anaesthetic. 

Not everyone needs surgery, as some cancers can get treated without a surgical procedure.

It really depends on the type of cancer you have, and where it is: sometimes the surgeon will only need to perform a simple operation, but sometimes things can be a bit more complex.

These things will be discussed with you before surgery. Make sure you understand the risks and benefits of your surgery, before you agree to go ahead with it.

Your surgeon and oncologist should be able to explain things to you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Surgery is also used for other things

  • In the form of a biopsy, surgery can help to give an accurate cancer diagnosis
  • Some cancer patients may need surgery to insert a central line, or a port, before they start chemotherapy
  • It can be used to restore a part of the body, such as creating a new bladder
  • It can restore appearance, such as breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
  • Generally, surgery is combined with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment.