How is Tumor Surgery Performed in Children?

Tumor surgery in children varies depending on the type, size, and location of the tumor, as well as the child's overall health condition. However, generally, it involves the following steps:

1. Pre-Assessment: Before starting the surgery, doctors evaluate the child's overall health condition and conduct various imaging tests to determine the exact location and size of the tumor. This stage is crucial for creating the most effective and safe surgical plan.

2. Anesthesia: The child is put under general anesthesia to prevent any pain or discomfort during the surgery.

3. Removal of the Tumor: The surgical team's goal is to completely remove the tumor and any cancerous tissue around it if possible. Sometimes, it may not be possible to remove the entire tumor because this could harm the child's vital organs. In these cases, doctors remove as much of the tumor as possible.

4. Pathology: The removed tumor and tissue are examined by a pathologist. The pathologist determines whether the tumor is cancerous or not, whether the cancer has spread to the tissue around the tumor, and whether the surgeon has removed all the cancerous tissue.

5. Recovery: After the surgery, the child usually stays in the hospital for a few days. The recovery process varies depending on the child's age, overall health condition, and the complexity of the surgery.

After tumor surgery, children often need additional treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. These treatments aim to kill any remaining cancer cells and prevent the recurrence of cancer.