“Can cancer cells be removed surgically?”

Question

Surgical Oncologist Questions Cancer

“Can cancer cells be removed surgically?”

Is it possible to remove cancer cells from the body surgically?

10 Answers

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**Dr. Lisa D. Curcio** Surgeon Rhinebeck, NY · Accepted Answer

Great question! Individual cancer cells are impossible to remove surgically. It is only when the individual cells form a tumor that can be seen on imaging or felt that we can remove the tumor. That is why sometimes after the removal of the tumor some patients may need chemotherapy and radiation. The chemotherapy is given to address any individual cancer cells that may be left in the blood stream. Radiation is given to the area of the tumor to kill any individual cells that may be left behind after the removal of the tumor.

**Dr. Babak Eghbalieh** Surgical Oncologist Los Angeles, CA · Accepted Answer

Dr. Babak Eghbalieh Surgical Oncologist Los Angeles, CA

Only solid tumors that are localized to certain parts of the body can be removed surgically.

**Dr. Madhu Prasad** Surgeon Detroit, MI · Accepted Answer

Dr. Madhu Prasad Surgeon Detroit, MI

Usually collections of cancer cells which can be seen or felt can be removed. Usually microscopic cells cannot be targeted and removed surgically. I hope this helps.

**Marcella Fornari** Surgical Oncologist Morristown, NJ · Accepted Answer

Marcella Fornari Surgical Oncologist Morristown, NJ

It depends. In general, early breast cancer that is localized to the breast can be completely removed surgically however metastatic breast cancer sometimes cannot be removed completely.

**Dr. William L. Diehl** Surgeon Morristown, NJ · Accepted Answer

Dr. William L. Diehl Surgeon Morristown, NJ

Not individually, but except for some blood borne cancers such as Leukemia, the vast majority of cancers grow as a tumor. The entire tumor and therefore, the cancerous cells can be removed as a block.

**Angela Lewis-Traylor** Surgeon Humble, TX · Accepted Answer

Angela Lewis-Traylor Surgeon Humble, TX

Hello,

It is possible for a surgeon to completely a tumor where malignancy has been found.
I hope this helps.

Thanks! Blessings!

**Shaun McKenzie** Surgical Oncologist · Accepted Answer

While surgery does not remove individual cells, tumors which are growths comprised of millions of cells are removed with surgery. We believe that many patients may have individual cells in their system after surgery and that is why patients are often given chemotherapy for a period of time after surgery. This is done to kill those cells we can't see or remove at surgery.

**Dr. Mark Gimbel** Surgical Oncologist Gilbert, Arizona · Accepted Answer

Dr. Mark Gimbel Surgical Oncologist Gilbert, Arizona

Depending on the stage of the cancer, surgery is most of the time offered as a curative approach. That means that if the cancer has not spread, the goal would be to cut the cancer out so it would not be able to spread. If the cancer has already spread then surgery is usually not offered as it will not impact the progression of the disease.

**Dr. Jovita Un Oruwari** Surgical Oncologist Ballwin, MO · Accepted Answer

Dr. Jovita Un Oruwari Surgical Oncologist Ballwin, MO

Yes, cancer cells can be removed surgically. But this depends on two things:

1- Have we verified that the cancer cells are present with imaging and pathology?
2- Is it in a part of the body where we can get to surgically?

Jovita Oruwari

**Dr. Jovita Un Oruwari** Surgical Oncologist Ballwin, MO · Accepted Answer

Dr. Jovita Un Oruwari Surgical Oncologist Ballwin, MO

Yes, cancer cells can be removed surgically. But this depends on two things:

1- Have we verified that the cancer cells are present with imaging and pathology?
2- Is it in a part of the body where we can get to surgically?