Radical surgery is a surgical procedure that is performed to remove a malignant tumor. This operation is one of the most difficult and dangerous surgical procedures, but it can also be very effective in treating cancer.
Radical surgery begins with the surgeon making a small incision in the skin to gain access to the tumor. The doctor then removes the tumor along with surrounding tissue. To do this, he uses special instruments and techniques that allow him to remove the tumor as much as possible without damaging healthy tissue.
The purpose of radical surgery is to completely remove the malignant tumor, because if even small pieces of the tumor remain, it can return and begin to grow again.
After removing the tumor, the surgeon checks to see if there are any remaining cancer cells or metastases in other parts of the body. If so, he will either prescribe additional treatment or perform additional operations.
After radical surgery, doctors usually prescribe courses of chemotherapy or radiation to their patients to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and the spread of metastases. They may also recommend that their patients take special medications to prevent relapses.
In general, radical surgery can have dire consequences. Swelling at the surgical site can cause pain and discomfort for several weeks after surgery, so patients should be aware that the recovery period can be long and painful. However, for many cancer patients, this surgery may be the only effective treatment.