What can you expect before and after cancer surgery? Preparation and healing from cancer
surgery varies greatly based on the operation you''re undergoing. But in general, you can expect certain similarities, including:
Preparation. In general, expect to undergo certain tests, such as blood tests, urine tests, X-rays and other imaging tests, in the days preceding your surgery. These
tests will help your doctor assess your surgical needs, such as your blood type should you need a transfusion, and identify potential risks, such as infections, that may influence your surgery.
Anesthesia. If you''re having surgery, you''ll likely need some type of anesthetic — a medication that blocks the perception of pain. Your options for anesthesia will be based on what type of surgery you''re receiving.
Recovery. Depending on your surgery, you may stay in the hospital for a time before going home. Your health
care team will give you specific directions for your recovery, such as how to care for any wounds, what foods or activities to avoid and what medications to take.
What are the risks of cancer surgery? As with any surgery, cancer surgery does carry risks. What side effects you might experience after cancer surgery will depend on your specific surgery. In general, most cancer operations carry a
risk of:
Pain. pain is a common side effect of most operations. Some cause more pain than others do. Your health care team will tell you how to keep your pain to a minimum and will provide medications to reduce or eliminate the pain.
Infection. The site of your surgery can become infected. Your health care team will show you how to care for your wound after surgery. Follow this routine closely to avoid infection, which can lengthen your recovery time after surgery. Doctors treat infections most often with antibiotics.
Loss of organ function. In order to remove your cancer, the surgeon may need to remove an entire organ. For example, your kidney may need to be removed (nephrectomy) if you have kidney cancer. For some such operations, the remaining organ can function sufficiently to compensate for the loss, but in other situations you may be left with impairments. For instance, removal of a lung (pneumonectomy) may cause difficulty breathing.
Bleeding. All operations carry a risk of bleeding. Your surgeon will try to minimize this risk.
Blood clots. While you''re recovering from surgery, you''re at an increased risk of developing a blood clot. Though the risk is small, this complication can be serious. Blood clots most commonly occur in the legs and may cause some swelling and pain. A blood clot that breaks off and travels to the lung could cause a pulmonary embolism, a dangerous and sometimes deadly condition. Your surgeon will take precautions to prevent blood clots from developing, such as getting you up and out of bed as soon as possible after your operation.
Altered bowel and bladder function. Immediately after your surgery you may experience difficulty having a bowel movement or emptying your bladder. This typically resolves in a few days, depending on your specific operation.
Whatever cancer treatment your doctor recommends, you''re likely to feel some anxiety about your condition and the treatment process. Knowing what to expect can help. Use this information to help you talk with your doctor and ask informed questions.
More abstracts about the Health Centers: Cancer: Breast Cancer