Understanding Tumor Treatment Options: A Comprehensive Guide

🧠 How Is a Tumor Removed?

The method for removing a tumor depends on the type, location, size, and whether it’s benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

1. Surgery (most common method)

• What happens: A surgeon physically removes the tumor.

• Used for: Solid tumors that are localized (e.g., brain, breast, colon, skin).

• Goal: Remove the entire tumor and a margin of healthy tissue around it to ensure no cancer cells are left behind.

• Examples:

  • Lumpectomy for breast tumors

  • Craniotomy for brain tumors

  • Excision for skin tumors

2. Minimally Invasive Surgery

• Laparoscopy or robotic surgery: Small incisions, faster recovery.

• Often used in abdominal or pelvic areas.

3. Laser Surgery

• Uses focused light to cut or destroy tumors.

• Often for surface tumors (e.g., on the skin, cervix, or inside airways).

4. Cryosurgery

• Tumor is frozen using liquid nitrogen.

• Used for some skin and prostate tumors.

5. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

• Heat destroys the tumor, guided by imaging.

• Common for liver, kidney, or lung tumors.

6. Non-Surgical Treatments (when removal isn’t possible):

• Radiation therapy: Shrinks or kills tumors with high-energy rays.

• Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to kill cancer cells.

• Immunotherapy / targeted therapy: Boosts immune system or targets cancer cell mechanisms.

💬 When is surgery not used?

• If the tumor has spread too much (metastasized)

• If surgery is too risky due to health conditions or tumor location (e.g., near vital brain structures)

• If non-surgical options are more effective

🧠 Surgical Methods for Tumor Removal

1. Traditional Surgery

• Craniotomy: A procedure where a section of the skull is removed to access and remove brain tumors. It’s commonly used for tumors located in the brain.

• Laparotomy: A large incision is made in the abdomen to access internal organs and remove tumors. It’s often employed for abdominal cancers.

• Thoracotomy: An incision is made in the chest to access and remove lung tumors.

2. Minimally Invasive Surgery

• Laparoscopic Surgery: Small incisions are made, and a camera is used to guide the surgeon in removing tumors. This approach typically results in shorter recovery times.

• Robotic Surgery: Surgeons use robotic systems to perform precise movements, allowing for complex tumor removals with minimal incisions.

• Endoscopic Surgery: Instruments are inserted through natural body openings (like the mouth or nose) to remove tumors, reducing the need for external incisions.

3. Ablation Techniques

• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): A needle is inserted into the tumor, and heat is applied to destroy cancer cells. It’s commonly used for liver, kidney, and lung tumors.

• Cryoablation: Extreme cold is used to freeze and destroy tumor cells. It’s applicable for tumors in the liver, prostate, and kidney.

• Laser Surgery: A focused laser beam is used to vaporize or cut through tumor tissue. It’s often used for tumors in the skin, cervix, or airway passages.

4. Specialized Surgical Techniques

• Mohs Surgery: A precise technique used primarily for skin cancers, where thin layers of cancer-containing skin are progressively removed and examined until only cancer-free tissue remains.

• Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT): Radiation is delivered directly to the tumor site during surgery, allowing for high doses while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

🧬 Non-Surgical Methods for Tumor Treatment

While not surgical, these treatments are often used in conjunction with surgery or as standalone therapies:

• Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells.

• Radiation Therapy: Employs high-energy rays to target and destroy tumor cells.

• Immunotherapy: Stimulates the body’s immune system to fight cancer.

• Targeted Therapy: Targets specific molecules involved in tumor growth.