MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Can surgery spread cancer?
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Can surgery spread cancer?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Can surgery spread cancer?

  • Post
    • January 28, 2019 at 5:15 pm
    Ryan2240x
    Participant

      I had my WLE done on two melanomas last month. One was stage 1 and one was in situ. I started reading online last night that surgery can spread cancer? I got clear margins but I am so scared about a recurrence. Does anyone know if this is true?

    Viewing 0 reply threads
    • Replies
        • January 28, 2019 at 7:31 pm
        Julie in SoCal
        Participant

          HI Ryan,

          It's possible that others here are more knowledgable than I am, but as I understand it, yes, it's theoritically possible for surgery to spread cancer. BUT surgeons know this, and they have developed ways to do the surgery without causing it to spread.

          When I had VATS lung surgery, where the tumor  is pulled out through a hole in your chest, I asked my surgeon how he was going to stop the cancer cells from going everywhere once he cut the tumor out. And he gave me a very good answer.– he puts it in a ziplock bag after they remove it.  

          So maybe all I'm saying is if you  have questions, talk to your doc.  He should have an anwer, because it's a good question.

          Shalom,

          Julie

            • January 28, 2019 at 11:12 pm
            WithinMySkin
            Participant
              Julie is right on! Yes, theoretically, cancer can spread with surgery, which is why we always shoot for clean margins in shave/punch biopsies and why they take a WLE. When removing internal tumors, surgeons have ways of removing them that decrease the chance of spread (i.e. removing them in one piece, using electrocautery to destroy left over cells, etc) Don’t let these details weigh you down – surgeons work magic 😉

              Lauren

        Viewing 0 reply threads
        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
        About the MRF Patient Forum

        The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

        The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

        Popular Topics