Can You Have Surgery While on Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a drug treatment used to kill or shrink cancer cells, according to the National Cancer Institute. Chemotherapy can be used as the only treatment, or in combination with other treatments like surgery, radiation or biological treatments. Surgery to remove cancer is most often scheduled prior to or after chemotherapy. There are some instances and emergencies that require surgery to be performed during a round of chemotherapy.

Significance

• Chemotherapy works to reduce and kill cancer cells by destroying developing cells. While the drugs are destroying cancer cells, regular non-cancer cells may also become damaged or destroyed. The resulting side effects can cause feelings of fatigue and sickness, along with a weakened immune system. These side effects are unpleasant, and adding surgery while these side effects are present can put too much stress on your body. It is important to discuss potential surgeries with the physician that is handling your chemotherapy treatment so that he may weigh the risks and benefits of the surgery.

Types

• There are many types of surgeries, ranging from an elective procedure like liposuction, to non-elective procedures. While undergoing chemotherapy, you may develop a need for non-elective surgery, like the need to remove a tumor that is interfering with your daily life. You may also encounter a need for emergency surgery unrelated to cancer, such as if you were in an auto accident. Discuss any potential surgery with your physician. If you can avoid surgery, such as choosing not to undergo elective surgery during chemotherapy, then that will allow the best chance for your body to heal from the chemotherapy treatment.

Time Frame

• Most chemotherapy treatments occur in cycles. For example, one cycle may consist of a week of drugs and then a set amount of rest. Consult with your physician to determine how many cycles of chemotherapy you will undergo, so that you are aware of when your treatment has ended. When chemotherapy ends, you may need a recovery period before having surgery.

Potential

• If a patient is tolerating chemotherapy well and is having few side effects, surgery may be an option during chemotherapy treatment. If the proposed surgery will improve the patient's quality of life and the patient will respond well, then the patient and doctor may agree that surgery during chemotherapy is acceptable. As chemotherapy improves over time and with new ways to manage side effects, performing surgery during chemotherapy may become less risky.

Theories/Speculation

• Currently there are clinical trials to determine when is best to have surgery to remove tumors in relation to chemotherapy cycles. Cancer Help UK is conducting a trial to observe if there is a better response from patients that have surgery prior to chemotherapy, versus patients that receive surgery to remove tumors in between two cycles of chemotherapy.