Tumour resection (removal)
The main surgical goal in childhood solid tumours is removing the entire primary tumour with a clear margin of healthy tissue around it. Whether the surgeon can achieve this in one operation, or whether chemotherapy is needed first to shrink the tumour, depends on the size and position of the cancer.
- Used for Wilms tumour, neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma
- Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to reduce tumour size first
- A tumour-free surgical margin is the primary goal of every resection
- Pathologist confirms clear margins on the removed specimen after surgery
