Preparing for cancer surgery
Learn about surgery and how it may fit into a treatment plan
If your doctor has recommended surgery to help treat your cancer, you’re not alone. Surgery is a common first treatment option, especially for those with earlier-stage cancers. For some people, surgery is the only treatment needed. For others, treatment before or after surgery may also be recommended.
That’s why it’s important to know what options you might have so you know what to
expect from your treatment plan.
Considering potential types of treatment before and after surgery
Sometimes surgery isn’t the only treatment you might need when diagnosed with cancer. For some people with certain types and stages of cancer, the addition of another treatment before or after the surgery may be recommended by your doctor to help treat your cancer. Learn why your doctor may suggest adding other types of treatments before or after surgery.
During conversations with your surgeon and/or oncologist, you may be told that one or both of the following options may be available to you:
Treatment BEFORE surgery
(Also called neoadjuvant therapy)
Treatments given before cancer surgery may help shrink the tumor before a surgeon removes it.
Types of cancer treatments used before surgery may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy
Treatment AFTER surgery
(Also called adjuvant therapy)
Treatments given after cancer surgery may help lower the risk of the cancer coming back in the future.
Types of cancer treatments used after surgery may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
Understanding the risk of cancer returning
After cancer surgery, it’s normal to worry about what comes next. Talking to both a surgeon and an oncologist can help you understand your risk for cancer returning.
Your risk of cancer returning and/or spreading is based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:
- Cancer type
- Cancer stage
- Previous treatments
- Individual health
Cancer may come back after surgery, and you should discuss with your doctor about whether you are eligible for any potential types of treatment after surgery.
Whether or not your doctor has recommended additional treatments, surgery may still be considered your main treatment. Use the information below to learn what may happen in preparation for surgery and recovery after surgery.
Preparing for cancer surgery
Surgery may seem like a big step, but if you know about the process and preparation, you may become more at ease and understand what to expect.
The time before your cancer surgery is called the pre-operative phase. At this point, your care team will give you the details of your procedure, such as:
• Any additional tests before surgery
• Where and when you will have the surgery
• Eating or drinking restrictions before surgery
• Supplies needed during recovery, such as a walker, shower chair, and/or commode
Tests before surgery
Your care team may need to take additional tests before surgery. These tests provide more information to your doctor and may include:
• X-rays
• Electrocardiograms (ECGs)
• Blood tests
Recovering from cancer surgery
Your recovery may depend on the type of cancer surgery you have, and recovery may look different for everyone. Recovery will usually start while you’re in the hospital and continue at home.
Recovery in the hospital
Your care team may encourage you to do physical activity when you can. Your care team may recommend physical therapy that may help your recovery.
Plans for your discharge from the hospital may also start soon after your surgery. Your care team may want to ensure you are eating, drinking, and walking before you go home. Your care team may also recommend spending time at a rehabilitation center before going home.
Recovery at home
Once you are home from the hospital, rest is still important. That is why you should think about home recovery before your surgery. Planning ahead means you and your loved ones can identify things you may need help with and things you can do to get ready for your return. It’s important to talk to your care team about:
• If you have any dietary restrictions
• If you require a feeding tube or IV
• What medicines to take and how to take them
• How to manage daily activities and responsibilities (walking up and going down stairs, lifting objects, driving, working, etc.)
• Whether you should be doing any physical activity or physical therapy
• How to control your pain
• Who to call if you have questions
Follow-up appointments
The surgeon may want to see you as soon as one week after the procedure. This appointment could be to go over a post-surgery appointment schedule, remove stitches, or discuss additional treatments. Your surgeon may recommend you see an oncologist.
Some questions to discuss with your surgeon about potential types
of treatment that may be available to you
Questions to ask about treatment before surgery
- Are there types of treatment before surgery that may be available to me?
- If my doctor recommends treatment before surgery, what are the benefits?
- How does treatment before surgery work?
- Will an oncologist be part of our care plan discussions?
Questions to ask about surgery
- Will all the cancer be removed, or just some of it?
- What are the chances the surgery will work?
- What do I need to do to prepare for surgery?
- What will recovery after surgery look like?
- Would you recommend I see an oncologist after surgery?
Questions to ask about treatment after surgery
- What is my risk of cancer coming back?
- Are there types of treatment after surgery that may be available to me?
- How are the treatments taken and for how long?
- How do these treatments work to help lower the risk of the cancer coming back?
- Do I still need to see an oncologist after surgery?
Questions to ask about treatment before surgery
Are there types of treatment before surgery that may be available to me?
If my doctor recommends treatment before surgery, what are the benefits?
How does treatment before surgery work?
Will an oncologist be part of our care plan discussions?
Questions to ask about surgery
Will all the cancer be removed, or just some of it?
What are the chances the surgery will work?
What do I need to do to prepare for surgery?
What will recovery after surgery look like?
Would you recommend I see an oncologist after surgery?
Questions to ask about treatment after surgery
What is my risk of cancer coming back?
Are there types of treatment after surgery that may be available to me?
How are the treatments taken and for how long?
How do these treatments work to help lower the risk of the cancer coming back?
Do I still need to see an oncologist after surgery?
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