Surgery is a treatment that removes a cancerous tumor and any nearby tissue that may contain cancer. In addition, a small area of healthy tissue is removed from around the tumor to help keep the cancer from spreading. When cancer cells spread, they can travel through the bloodstream or the lymphatic (lim-fat-ick) system. This system carries lymph fluid through the body, and it can carry cancer cells as well. This is why doctors often remove lymph nodes near the tumor during surgery to see if they contain cancer cells. In some cases, surgery is also used to reconstruct areas of the body damaged by cancer or its treatment. For more information about cancer surgery, please consult your healthcare provider.
