Surgery
Surgery involves removing tissues or organs from the body. The type of surgery you have depends on your cancer. You may also hear surgery called an operation or a procedure.
Every operation is different. Ask your surgeon about what to expect.
See our Canrefer website for bone cancer (sarcoma) specialist centres in NSW.
What you need to know
Bone cancer surgery
The surgery that is performed will depend on:
- where the bone cancer is
- the size and type of the cancer
- whether the cancer has spread
- whether you have other health problems.
The aim of surgery is to remove the bone cancer together with an area of normal tissue around it. This is known as a wide local excision (WLE) and is done to reduce the chance of cancer cells being left behind in the tissues surrounding the cancer.
The location of the bone cancer affects the options available for surgery.
Surgery for bone cancer in a limb
Most people can have limb-sparing surgery. This involves removing the cancer without removing the limb (arm or leg). The cancer is removed using wide local excision and then the bone is reconstructed using a metal implant or bone tissue from another part of the body.
For some people, limb-sparing surgery is not possible, and an amputation is needed to remove part or all of the affected limb.
Surgery for bone cancer in other parts of the body
Bone cancers in other parts of the body can be difficult to remove completely. In these cases, surgery is used to remove as much of the cancer as possible and other treatments such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy are used to treat any remaining cancer.
For bone cancers of the skull or spine, specialised treatments including cryosurgery or curettage may also be used.
The surgical team
Health professionals who work as part of the surgical team include:
- surgeon
- anaesthetist
- nurse
- allied health professional.
Other resources we recommend
What to ask or talk about
Side effects of bone cancer surgery
Possible surgical side effects and complications include:
- pain
- infection
- bleeding
- tiredness
- blood clots
- nerve damage
- swelling of the limb
- scarring
- breakdown in the wound and non-union of the bone where it has been grafted
- phantom limb pain.
Your surgeon will discuss any risks of the surgery with you before your operation. Most hospitals will also give you written information about the surgery and who to contact if you have any concerns.
The surgical team looking after you during and after your operation will take care to reduce your risk of side effects and treat any that you get.
Checklists
Next steps
Preparing for surgery
Before surgery, you will need to sign a consent form. It is important you understand what you are consenting to and the possible risks of the surgery.
Some things you should know are:
- whether you need to have tests and a preoperative assessment
- whether you need to change or stop any medications, e.g. blood thinners like aspirin
- when you have to stop eating and drinking
- when you have to be there
- whether you need time off work
- whether you need someone to care for you at home after surgery (if you are having day surgery you will need someone to drive you home).
