Childhood Cancer

Childhood Cancer

Chapter 14: Surgery

SURGERY HAS A CENTRAL ROLE in the treatment of solid tumors. At each new treatment stage, surgery is considered as an option. Surgery is used to take a sample of a tumor (called a biopsy), remove all or part of a tumor, amputate a limb, salvage a limb, or insert a venous catheter.

This chapter describes the importance of using an experienced pediatric surgeon and the types of surgeries children with solid tumors sometimes need. It then lists the questions you can ask during the discussions with the pediatric surgeon and the anesthesiologist. Finally, the surgery, discharge from the hospital, and rehabilitation services are described.