Surgery
For almost every type of cancer the best chance of cure is surgical removal. Surgery is usually arranged to take place within a few days or weeks of a cancer diagnosis. The aim of surgery is to completely remove cancer. Completeness of removal is checked by examining the edges (margins) of the tissue removed under the microscope. For some cancers a second operation may be performed to clear the margins if the results show there is tumour left behind. Most operations involve a stay in hospital until a person is able to mobilise to the toilet and manage their own personal care. Further recovery takes place at home. Depending on the operation, physical recovery may take a few days to a few months. On average it will take a few weeks. Adaptation may also be required and this takes longer, for example because of an operation a person may have to learn to manage a stoma, or learn to live with an unsightly scar or loss of a breast.
