Busting the Top 5 Myths About Cancer Surgery

Myth 1: Exposing cancer to air during surgery causes it to spread.

This is perhaps the most common and oldest myth surrounding cancer treatment. Many people believe that once a surgeon opens the body and the tumor touches oxygen or air, the cancer will rapidly spread to other organs.

The Medical Fact:

Cancer does not spread because it is exposed to air.

Cancer spreads (metastasizes) when cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system to other parts of the body. If a patient’s cancer is found to have spread after surgery, it is usually because the cancer had already begun spreading at a microscopic level before the surgery even took place—not because of the surgery itself. Modern imaging tests are excellent, but sometimes microscopic cancer cells are too small to be seen until the surgeon operates.

Myth 2: A biopsy or tumor removal surgery will cause cancer cells to "leak" into the body

Patients often worry that cutting into a tumor during a biopsy (taking a small tissue sample) or during the main surgery will disturb the cancer and cause it to spill into healthy tissue.

The Medical Fact:

The risk of spreading cancer during surgery is incredibly low. Surgical oncologists use highly specialized, strict techniques to prevent this from happening. When performing tumor removal surgery, they do not simply scoop out the cancer. Instead, they carefully remove the tumor along with a border of healthy tissue around it—known as "clear margins." This ensures no cancer cells are left behind.

Furthermore, different surgical instruments are used for different parts of the operation to prevent any accidental transfer of cells (a concept known as avoiding "tumor seeding").

Myth 3: If I have surgery, I won’t need chemotherapy or radiation

Many patients believe that if the surgeon successfully removes the lump, they are completely cured and can skip other treatments.

The Medical Fact:

Surgery is often just one part of a complete cancer treatment plan. While surgery is highly effective for removing visible tumors, cancer is a complex disease. Even if all visible cancer is removed, microscopic cancer cells may still remain in the body.

To reduce the risk of cancer returning, your oncology team may recommend additional treatments:

• Adjuvant Therapy: Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted therapy given after surgery to destroy any remaining hidden cancer cells.
• Neoadjuvant Therapy: Treatments given before surgery to shrink a large tumor, making it easier and safer to remove.

Myth 4: Cancer surgery is too risky for older adults

There is a misconception that seniors are too frail to handle the physical stress of surgery or the anesthesia required for tumor removal.

The Medical Fact:

Age is just a number; overall health is what matters most. There is no strict age limit for cancer surgery. A healthy 75-year-old might be a much better candidate for surgery than a 50-year-old with severe heart disease or diabetes.

Before any cancer surgery, a thorough medical evaluation is conducted, including heart and lung function tests, to ensure the patient can safely undergo the procedure.

Furthermore, advancements like robotic cancer surgery and laparoscopic surgery have made operations much safer for older adults. These minimally invasive techniques involve tiny incisions, resulting in less blood loss, reduced pain, and faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.

Myth 5: Surgery is only done to cure cancer

Many people think that if cancer is in an advanced stage and cannot be completely cured, surgery is useless.

The Medical Fact:

Surgery plays a vital role in pain relief and improving quality of life, even in advanced stages.

This approach is known as palliative surgery. If a tumor is pressing on a nerve and causing severe pain, blocking the intestines, or making it difficult to breathe, a surgical oncologist may remove part of the tumor to relieve these symptoms.

While this type of surgery does not cure the cancer, it can significantly improve the patient’s comfort and overall quality of life.

Choosing Advanced Cancer Care in Gurugram

When facing a cancer diagnosis, having the right information and the right medical team is your best defense. Whether you require breast cancer surgery in Gurugram, gastrointestinal cancer treatment, or complex procedures like CRS + HIPEC, it is crucial to consult a specialist who uses evidence-based medicine and modern surgical techniques.

Do not let fear and myths dictate your healthcare decisions. Speak openly with your surgical oncologist, ask questions, and fully understand your treatment plan.