Why Can I Not Receive Cancer Surgery
The diagnosis of cancer is traumatic to anyone. It takes a while for the information and reality of the situation to sink in. People often feel numb and it may take a while to think of questions to ask a medical provider about the treatment and prognosis of whatever type of cancer they may be faced with. If the cancer is inoperable, then the question that will undoubtedly pass through a person’s mind is “Why can I not receive cancer surgery?”
Treatments for Cancer Depend on Type and Position
If a person is told they have cancer but that it is inoperable, (which means that surgical removal of the tumour is impossible), it can initially seem that all hope is lost and that this means no other treatments are available and the prognosis and life expectancy is going to be short. It is important to realise that a cancer is not necessarily untreatable if it is not operable. It may simply indicate that because of the type and position of the cancer, other treatment options may offer a better chance of survival.
Some cancers may be attached to organs of the body, which make surgery more life threatening than the cancer itself. Tumours may appear anywhere in the body and those that are attached to the life sustaining organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas and brain or to blood vessels cannot always be surgically removed. In such situations the treatment offered may be radiotherapy or chemotherapy or both.
Surgery can also be very invasive and disfiguring and where possible when a tumour responds well to other forms of treatment an oncologist (cancer specialist) will prefer to use alternatives to surgery which may also have a longer recovery period.
Preparing for Use of Alternative Treatments
So having asked the question “why can I not receive cancer surgery” and having received an explanation from the doctor, it is essential to have a complete understanding of what other treatments will involve and how to prepare for them. Most people are fearful of the side effects of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, but with preparation, these side effects can be reduced or even completely eliminated in some instances.
It may be essential to take actions to enable life to be put on hold for the duration of the treatments, but thankfully, the sometimes debilitating side effects such as nausea and vomiting may only last as long as the treatment continues. Medical staff will work with patients to ensure these side effects are reduced to the minimum as much as possible. Social workers and other staff can assist patients with making the necessary arrangements to reduce other life issues and problems.
It is important to discuss all concerns with doctors and medical staff if surgery is not an option and don’t be shy about asking the question “why can I not receive cancer surgery”. Knowledge is power and can reduce anxiety which in itself may create more pain and health problems. By being well informed about why surgery is not an option and by understanding the way other offered treatments work (if offered), patients can feel in control of their medical diagnosis at a time when sometimes it can feel like everything is out of control.