Page last updated: April 2026
The information on this webpage has been adapted from Understanding Surgery - A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends (2026 edition). This webpage was last updated in April 2026.
Expert content reviewers:
This information was developed with help from a range of health professionals and people affected by cancer who have had targeted therapy.
All updated content has been clinically reviewed by Prof Elisabeth Elder, Specialist Breast Surgeon, Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and University of Sydney, NSW. This edition is based on the previous edition, which was reviewed by the following panel:
- Prof Elisabeth Elder
- Chanelle Curnuck, Dietitian – Dietetics and Nutrition, Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group, WA
- Department of Anaesthetics, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC
- Jessica Feeney, Nurse Unit Manager, Breast, Endocrine and Gynaecology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA
- A/Prof Richard Gallagher, Head and Neck Surgeon, Director of Cancer Services and Head and Neck Cancer Services, St Vincent’s Health Network, NSW
- John Leung, Consumer
- Rohan Miegel, Senior Physiotherapist – Cancer Care, Flinders Medical Centre, SA
- A/Prof Nicholas O’Rourke, University of Queensland and Head of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Royal Brisbane Hospital, QLD
- Lucy Pollerd, Social Worker, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC
- Suzanne Ryan, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Department of General Surgery, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, QLD
- Rebecca Yeoh, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Queensland.
Surgery is one of the main treatments for cancer. Surgery for cancer usually involves the partial or total removal of a tumour.
It’s natural to feel nervous before surgery. Knowing what to expect before, during and after surgery may make you feel less anxious and improve your recovery.
We cannot give advice about the best treatment for you. You need to discuss this with your doctors. However, this information may answer some of your questions and help you think about what to ask your treatment team.
Key questions
What is surgery?
Surgery is a way to remove cancer from the body or repair a part of the body affected by cancer. It usually involves cutting into the body. It may be called a procedure, operation or surgical resection.
It is done by one or more surgeons and a team of other health professionals, including an anaesthetist, nurses and technicians.
When is surgery used for cancer?
Many cancers that are found at an early stage can be removed with surgery, and this may be the only treatment needed. If cancer has already spread to a number of places in the body, surgery may not be the best treatment.
The Guides to Best Cancer Care set out the recommended treatment pathways in Australia for many types of cancer.
For some cancers, surgery is recommended as the most effective approach, either on its own or in combination with other treatments. For other cancers, non-surgical treatments are more effective.
Travelling for treatment
If you have to travel for surgery, there may be a program in your state or territory to refund some of the cost of travel and accommodation.
The hospital social worker can help you apply. You may need to keep your original travel tickets, receipts and invoices. Call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for more information.
Contact cancer support
Why have surgery?
To prevent cancer
Preventive or prophylactic surgery removes healthy tissue that doctors believe will probably become cancerous. It is done to reduce a person’s risk of developing cancer.
The decision to have preventive surgery should be made after talking to qualified health professionals, including a genetic counsellor.
To diagnose or stage cancer
Surgery may be done to confirm a cancer diagnosis. The doctor may remove all or part of a tumour in a procedure called a biopsy.
Surgery can also help the doctor determine the size of the tumour and whether the cancer has spread. This is called staging
To achieve cure
Small, early-stage cancers that haven’t spread are often successfully treated with surgery. If the cancer is only in one part of the body, the surgeon may remove the cancerous tissue or a whole organ.
To reduce the size of the cancer
If it is not possible to remove all the cancer without damaging nearby healthy organs, debulking (cytoreductive) surgery may be done.
The aim of the surgery is to remove as much of the cancer as possible, to help make other treatments more effective.
To reconstruct a part of the body
Reconstructive or plastic surgery can be done for many different reasons, such as to take control of your appearance, and help improve mobility or function.
Examples include breast reconstruction after removal of a breast (mastectomy) or a skin graft after surgery for skin cancer.
To help other treatments
Some procedures are done to assist other cancer treatments. For example, you may have a procedure to insert a tube (catheter) into a large vein in your chest to make it easier to receive chemotherapy.
To relieve symptoms
Surgery can help to relieve cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. This is known as palliative treatment.
For example, you may have surgery to treat a blockage in the bowel or to relieve discomfort caused by tumours pressing on nerves.
Will I have other cancer treatments?
For some types of cancer, you may be given other treatments before, during or after surgery.
Timing of other cancer treatments with surgery
- before (neoadjuvant) – Drug therapies or radiation therapy may be given before surgery to try to shrink the tumour and make it easier to remove.
- during (simultaneous) – Two types of treatment are sometimes given at the same time – for example, radiation therapy or heated chemotherapy may be given during surgery.
- after (adjuvant) – Drug therapies or radiation therapy may be given after you have recovered from surgery, often when the tumour hasn’t been completely removed, cancer has spread to other parts of the body (such as the lymph nodes), there is a chance there may be hidden cancer cells, or there is a significant risk that the cancer could come back.
How is surgery done?
The way the surgery is done (the approach or technique) depends on:
- the type of cancer
- its location in the body
- the surgeon’s training, and
- the equipment in the hospital or operating theatre.
Each method has advantages in particular situations – your doctor will advise which approach is most suitable for you. Some people have a combination of approaches.
Open surgery
During open surgery, the surgeon makes one or more cuts (incisions) into the body to see and operate on the organs and remove cancerous tissue.
The size of the cut can vary depending on the type of surgery. Your surgeon can talk with you about the size of the cut before surgery.
Open surgery is a well-established technique and widely available. It is often used for cancers in the abdomen (belly) or the pelvic area, when it is known as a laparotomy.
When open surgery is done on the chest area, it is called a thoracotomy.
Keyhole surgery
Also called minimally invasive surgery, this is when the surgeon makes a few small cuts in the body instead of the large cuts used in open surgery.
The surgeon will insert a thin instrument with a light and camera into one of the cuts. The camera projects images onto a TV screen so the surgeon can see the inside of your body.
The surgeon inserts tools into the other cuts and removes the cancerous tissue, using the images on the screen as a guide.
Keyhole surgery in the abdomen or pelvic area is called a laparoscopy. When keyhole surgery is done on the chest, it is called a thoracoscopy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.
In many cases, keyhole surgery can lead to a shorter stay in hospital and reduce pain and recovery time.
Robotic surgery
This is a type of keyhole surgery performed with help from a robotic system.
The surgical instruments are moved by robotic arms controlled by the surgeon, who sits at a computer console next to the operating table.
The console lets the surgeon see a three-dimensional view of the surgical site.
Laser surgery
This procedure uses a laser beam instead of a knife to vaporise or remove cancerous tissue. A laser beam is a strong, hot beam of light.
Cryotherapy
Also called cryosurgery, this is often used to treat skin cancers. Liquid nitrogen is sprayed onto the cancerous tissue to freeze and kill it.
Could an infection affect my surgery?
If you have COVID-19, a fever or another infection such as influenza (the flu), or you are recovering from one, your planned surgery may be delayed for a few weeks.
This helps ensure you have recovered and the surgery can be done safely. Your hospital will let you know if there are any specific precautions you need to follow.
Some hospitals have extra procedures in place to reduce the spread of infections and illness among patients.
For example, you may be asked to do a rapid antigen test (RAT) to test for COVID-19 before arriving on the day of surgery, visitor numbers may be limited, and you might need to wear a mask while in hospital.
Will I stay in hospital?
Often you will be admitted to hospital to have surgery. This is called inpatient care.
The length of your hospital stay depends on the type of surgery you have, the speed of your recovery and whether you have support after you are discharged.
For many procedures, it is common to have surgery and go home on the same day, provided there are no complications. This is called day surgery or outpatient surgery.
Your doctor will tell you whether you will have surgery as an inpatient or outpatient. If you speak a language other than English, you can ask your doctor or hospital to arrange an interpreter. Interpreter services can be provided in person or by phone.
How much does surgery cost?
The cost of surgery varies, depending on:
- the cancer type and stage
- the operation you are having
- the length of stay in hospital, and
- whether you have treatment as a public or private patient.
You have a right to know what you will have to pay for surgery and whether there will be any additional costs not covered by Medicare or your health fund.
There may be fees you hadn’t expected (e.g. if you have surgery as a private patient, there will be separate fees for your surgeon, anaesthetist, operating room and hospital stay).
When you are booked in for surgery, ask your surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital for a written quote that shows what you will have to pay. Talk to your health insurer to see what is covered.
If you are concerned about the cost, you may want to ask your surgeon if there is any way to reduce the costs.
You can also get a second opinion from another specialist, or have the surgery as a public patient.
Cancer and your finances
Can surgery spread the cancer?
In most cases, surgery does not cause cancer cells to spread to other places in the body. Surgeons take steps to prevent this. However, for a few cancers, there is a higher risk.
For example, most men with testicular cancer have the entire affected testicle removed. This is because removing only part of the testicle can cause cancer cells to spread during surgery. Talk to your surgeon if you are concerned.
What is a surgical margin?
The surrounding tissue that is removed with the cancer is known as the surgical margin. A specialist doctor called a pathologist checks the margin under a microscope to make sure the cancer has been completely removed.
If there aren’t any cancer cells at the edge of the removed tissue, it is called a clear, negative or clean margin. If there are cancer cells, it is a positive or close margin, and you may need to have more surgery or other treatments.
What is the role of my GP?
Your general practitioner (GP) will arrange the first tests to assess your symptoms. If these tests do not rule out cancer, you will usually be referred to a specialist, for example, a surgeon.
It is a good idea to build a relationship with a GP. They can assist you with treatment decisions and follow‑up care after surgery.
For example, GPs can help with pain control, prescriptions for medicines, or referrals for follow-up blood tests and scans.
Which health professionals will I see?
The type of surgeon you see will depend on the location of the cancer. For example, your GP may refer you to a:
- breast surgeon
- gynaecological oncologist (female reproductive system)
- urologist (urinary tract or kidneys; male reproductive system)
- thoracic surgeon (chest and lung)
- colorectal surgeon (bowel), or
- head and neck surgeon.
Sometimes your main specialist will be a general surgeon. Treatment options will often be discussed with other health professionals at what is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting.
This means health professionals work together to plan your treatment and manage care.
It is recommended that complex cancer surgeries are done by an experienced surgeon who works in an MDT in a specialist centre. Centres that do a high number of these procedures may have better outcomes.
Questions to ask your doctor
Asking your doctor questions will help you make an informed choice. You may want to include some of the questions below in your own list.
Information about the surgeon
- Do you work in a multidisciplinary team (MDT)?
- Do you specialise in this type of surgery? How were you trained?
- How many times have you done this surgery?
- Which hospitals do you operate in?
Treatment choice
- Why do I need surgery?
- Are there other treatment choices for me?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of surgery for me?
- How successful is this type of surgery for this type of cancer?
- Are there clinical practice guidelines on how to treat this type of cancer?
- How much does the surgery cost? Are there any out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Medicare or my private health cover?
- Are there extra costs I should know about, such as costs related to anaesthesia?
- Can the cost be reduced if I can’t afford it?
- Can I get a second opinion?
- How long do I have to make a decision?
- Will I need other treatment before or after surgery?
- Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could join?
The surgery
- How can I prepare myself for surgery and improve my recovery?
- What type of surgery will I have (e.g. open surgery or keyhole surgery)?
- What exactly will you do during the operation? Will you remove part of the tumour or all of the cancer?
- How long will the surgery take?
- Could your plans for the surgery change? Why?
- What anaesthetic will I receive? How will it be given?
- When will I meet the anaesthetist?
- What are the potential risks and complications of the surgery?
- Will I need a blood transfusion?
- Where will I have the surgery?
- How will we know if the surgery was successful?
Side effects and recovery
- What are the side effects of the surgery (e.g. will it affect my mobility, diet, ability to work, fertility, sex life)? What are the long-term impacts?
- Will I have tubes and drains?
- Will I have a lot of pain? What will be done about this?
- How long will I be in hospital? How long will it take to recover?
- Will I need rehabilitation? Will I have it as an inpatient or outpatient?
- When I go home, will I be given written information about my after-care?
- What kind of support is available to people who have this type of surgery?
- Are there any complementary therapies that might help me?
Before leaving hospital
- Will the stitches need to be taken out or will they dissolve?
- Will the wound dressing need to be changed? Who will do this?
- Can I eat my usual diet?
- What problems should I look out for when I go home?
- Who should I call if I have a problem?
- How often will I need check-ups?
- Can I have a shower or bath?
- When do I need to see my surgeon for a follow-up?
- When can I go back to work? How soon can I do my usual activities (e.g. exercise, housework, driving)?
- What medicines do I need to take?
“I kept a notebook to record any questions I had so that I wouldn’t forget anything I wanted to tell or ask at each appointment.” Ann