What Are the Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Cancer Treatment?
If you've been diagnosed with cancer and your doctor is recommending surgery, one option that may be presented is a minimally invasive surgery, such as Nanoknife surgery. This technology allows your surgeon to use electrical currents to treat tumors rather than excising them through an open incision. If your doctor feels Nanoknife surgery is a possibility for you, it's generally a good idea to choose this approach over a traditional surgical excision. This is because Nanoknife surgery offers the following benefits for cancer patients.
You won't have incisions to heal.
When you have cancer, your body's healing process are often slowed down and impeded. So, an incision that may take a week or two to heal in a healthy person may take your body a month or longer to heal. With Nanoknife surgery, there are no true incisions for your body to heal. The procedure involves inserting several tiny electrodes into the area to be "operated" upon. Current is passed through the electrodes to destroy the tumor. These electrodes are about as big around as a toothpick, so the tiny cuts they leave are much easier for your body to heal.
When your body does not have to expend the effort to heal a large incision, it can focus on continue to fight your cancer. You're likely to feel better and more energetic a lot sooner.
You won't have to spend as much time in the hospital.
Though the length of your hospital stay will depend on your overall health and the location of the tumor, most patients only have to stay overnight in the hospital after Nanoknife surgery. If you were to have traditional surgery, you could expect to spend at least a couple of days in the hospital. After already navigating cancer diagnosis and treatment, you're probably ready to spend more time at home—and Nanoknife surgery makes that a reality. You can jump back into everyday life and feel "normal" again sooner.
There's less risk of side effects and tissue damage.
Depending on where your tumor is located, reaching it through traditional surgical means may be dangerous and difficult. For instance, if your tumor is located behind an organ, there's a risk of damage to that organ as it is moved out of the way to allow your doctor to access the tumor. With Nanoknife technology, tumors in hard-to-reach places can be treated much easily and with a much lower risk of damage to the surrounding tissues. The electrodes can be guided through narrow spaces and around organs, eliminating the need for many internal incisions.
You won't be bed-bound after the procedure.
Once your overnight observation period of over and you return home, you won't generally have any restrictions on your activity levels due to the surgery. (You may have restrictions due to your cancer diagnosis or the way cancer has affected your body). You don't have to spend days or weeks in bed as you would after traditional surgery. You can get up and clean the house, take care of your kids, or perhaps even return to your job. Cancer has probably already restricted your lifestyle enough—this treatment won't impose any further restrictions.
Nanoknife cancer treatment is one of the most innovative cancer treatments available today. It's only performed at the most advanced cancer treatment centers and by the most qualified physicians. If your doctor has recommended this treatment for you, then that's very good news. It means your cancer can be treated without the need for a large incision, painful healing process, and months off from your everyday activities.
To learn more about the procedure, contact services like ATLAS ONCOLOGY.