Locations:
SearchThe short answer from an oncologist
Image content: This image is available to view online.
View image online (https://assets.clevelandclinic.org/transform/8952fce7-9c65-4da1-88b9-7119e8ee8287/CancerPatientBed_jpg)
Can Having Surgery Cause My Cancer to Spread? (short answer)
A: It’s a common concern: Cancer will spread if exposed to air during surgery. There are rare times when having a biopsy is a risk for spreading which may be a reason biopsy isn’t offered.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Some people may feel worse after surgery than they did before surgery, which may cause the belief that their cancer has spread. However, it’s normal to feel worse immediately following surgery. This doesn’t mean that your cancer is spreading.
Also, your surgeon may find more cancer during surgery than was originally expected from the pre-op scans and X-rays. This can happen too, and it also isn’t related to the surgery. The cancer was already there but hadn’t shown up on the tests.
Remember, if you have any concerns or questions, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.
— Dale Shepard, MD, Hematology and Medical Oncologist
Advertisement
Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more.
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Doctors look at stage, biology, genetic risk and more to recommend your treatment plan
Chemo cold caps may help you keep more of your hair during therapy
Practice meditation together, make a unique-to-them care package and embrace emotions
From a thoughtful note to a special pillow, these items are a win
How to create your own organizational system
Take these steps to limit the damage
The short answer from an exercise physiologist
10 things that can help ease your mind and keep you comfortable
Blue light-filtering glasses may help some people sleep better, but they don’t prevent eye strain and aren’t needed for eye health
Avoiding outside messaging may be difficult, but you can change how you think about T2D
The term refers to how long it takes you to fall asleep, which can be a key factor in overall sleep quality
