Previous
Next
You notice blood in your stool. Or maybe your stomach pain has been coming and going for months. Your doctor orders a scan or endoscopy, and suddenly the word “cancer” enters the conversation.
The next question is usually frightening but important: “Do I really need surgery?”
GI oncosurgery deals with cancers affecting the digestive system, including the food pipe, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, colon and rectum. Surgery may be used to remove a tumour, prevent the cancer from spreading, or sometimes control symptoms.
But not every patient needs surgery immediately. The right decision depends on the type of cancer, its stage, your overall health and whether other treatments should come first.
GI oncosurgery is more than simply “removing a tumour.”
A GI cancer surgeon plans surgery around where the cancer started, how far it has spread and how much healthy tissue needs to be preserved.
A GI cancer surgeon may manage surgical treatment for:
Stomach cancer
Esophageal cancer
Colorectal and rectal cancer
Liver cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Gallbladder and bile duct cancers
Other gastrointestinal tumours
For patients considering consultation with Dr. Abhishek Aggarwal, the useful starting point is not simply asking, “Can you operate?” It is asking what treatment makes the most sense for this particular cancer and stage.
The answer changes from patient to patient.
If tests show that a tumour is localized and can be removed safely, surgery may be an important part of treatment. In some cancers, chemotherapy or radiation may be given before surgery to shrink the tumour or improve the chances of successful removal.
For advanced disease, surgery may or may not be appropriate. A multidisciplinary team may consider chemotherapy, targeted treatment, radiation, surgery, or a combination.
Here is a point we often stress when helping patients understand specialist care: pain is not a reliable signal for cancer.
Some gastrointestinal cancers can develop without obvious symptoms in the early stages. Waiting until pain becomes severe can mean losing valuable time.
Persistent changes such as unexplained weight loss, blood in stool, difficulty swallowing, repeated vomiting, jaundice, a lasting change in bowel habits or unexplained abdominal symptoms deserve medical evaluation.
Cancer treatment is rarely about one isolated decision.
A surgeon needs to know the tumour's location and stage before recommending an operation. This may involve imaging, endoscopy, biopsy and other tests.
The goal is not simply to operate as quickly as possible. The goal is to choose the treatment that gives the patient the best reasonable chance of controlling the disease while protecting quality of life.
Consider a patient who notices a gradual change in bowel habits and occasional blood in the stool. Instead of assuming it is piles, the patient gets evaluated and a colon tumour is discovered.
If the cancer is found before it spreads extensively, surgery to remove the affected section of the bowel may become a major part of treatment. Depending on the stage and pathology, additional treatment may also be recommended.
This illustrates an important point: the earlier the problem is investigated, the more treatment options may be available.
Cancer remains a major global health burden. The World Health Organization reported that approximately 20 million new cancer cases occurred worldwide in 2022, with colorectal cancer among the most commonly diagnosed cancers.
More recent global estimates for 2024 put colorectal cancer at about 2.0 million new cases worldwide, making it the third most commonly diagnosed cancer globally.
These numbers don't mean every digestive symptom is cancer. They do highlight why persistent warning signs should not simply be ignored.
A common piece of advice is: “Get surgery as soon as possible.”
We would challenge that.
For cancer, fast does not always mean best. The treatment sequence matters.
A patient may need chemotherapy before surgery. Another may benefit from surgery first. Someone with widespread disease may need systemic treatment rather than an operation.
The better question is not, “How quickly can I get surgery?”
It is:
“What treatment plan gives me the best chance of controlling this cancer?”
That distinction can prevent unnecessary procedures and help patients make more informed decisions.
Walking into a cancer consultation can feel overwhelming. Take a written list of questions with you.
Where exactly is the cancer located?
What stage is it?
Can it be removed completely?
Do I need chemotherapy or radiation before surgery?
What will recovery and daily life look like afterward?
Also ask whether a multidisciplinary team has reviewed your case, especially when treatment involves several specialists.
You should consider a specialist consultation when a biopsy confirms gastrointestinal cancer, imaging shows a suspicious or potentially removable tumour, or your doctor recommends surgery as part of your treatment.
A second opinion can also be reasonable if you are unsure about the proposed operation or treatment sequence.
Getting another expert view does not necessarily mean you distrust your current doctor. It can simply help you understand your options before making a major decision.
Hearing “cancer surgery” can make anyone think about the worst possible outcome.
But GI oncosurgery is not one single operation or one single treatment path. The approach depends on the cancer, its stage, your health and the overall treatment plan.
Our advice is simple: don't delay an evaluation because you are afraid of what the results might show.
Finding out what is happening gives you something valuable — the ability to make a decision.
You should consider a consultation when a GI cancer is confirmed, a scan or biopsy shows a potentially cancerous tumour, or another doctor recommends surgery as part of treatment.
No. Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or combinations of these. The appropriate plan depends on the cancer type and stage.
For some patients, particularly when the cancer is localized and completely removable, surgery can be an important part of potentially curative treatment. Your specialist can explain whether surgery is appropriate in your specific case.
If you have been diagnosed with a gastrointestinal cancer or have been advised to consider cancer surgery, don't make the decision based on fear or internet searches alone.
Speak with a qualified GI cancer specialist, understand your diagnosis and stage, review all treatment options, and then decide on the next step with a clear plan.
If you are considering GI oncosurgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Abhishek Aggarwal to discuss your diagnosis, treatment options and whether surgery is appropriate for your individual case.