Surgery

Supportive Surgery

Supportive surgery includes surgical procedures that assist or enhance other cancer treatments rather than directly treating the cancer itself. These procedures play an important role in improving the effectiveness, safety, and comfort of ongoing cancer therapies.

A common example of supportive surgery is the placement of a chemotherapy port (Chemoport), a small medical device inserted under the skin to allow easy and repeated administration of chemotherapy. Another example is the placement of a catheter to facilitate the delivery of chemotherapy or other medications.

Although supportive surgery does not remove or cure cancer, it is similar to palliative surgery in that it focuses on improving treatment delivery and patient comfort. By supporting other cancer therapies, supportive surgery helps ensure smoother, more effective treatment and better overall patient care.