Tumor Removal: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Tumor Removal?
A surgeon removes tumors. A tumor is an abnormal growth in the body. Surgeons are medical doctors with special training in surgery. The type of surgery differs based on the part of the body that needs surgery. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not cancer, and malignant tumors are. Benign tumors grow only in one place and cannot spread or invade other parts of the body. Treatment of a benign tumor often involves surgery. In cancer care, surgery is a procedure in which a surgeon removes cancer from your body.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Benign tumors usually do not grow back. In cancer care, surgery works best for solid tumors that are contained in one area. It is not used for leukemia, a type of blood cancer, or for cancers that have spread. Sometimes surgery is the only treatment you need, but most often you will also have other cancer treatments.
Depending on the type of cancer and how advanced it is, surgery can do the following.
- Remove the entire tumor when the cancer is contained in one area.
- Debulk a tumor, which means removing some but not all of it. Debulking is used when removing an entire tumor might damage an organ or the body.
- Ease symptoms by removing tumors that are causing pain or pressure.
How to prepare
Before surgery, a nurse may call you to tell you how to prepare. You may need some tests if you have not had them lately.
- Blood tests.
- A chest x-ray.
- An electrocardiogram (ECG).
You may not be able to eat or drink for a certain period of time before the surgery. If you do not follow the instructions, your surgery may need to be rescheduled.
What happens during it
Anesthesia keeps you from feeling pain during surgery. General anesthesia causes loss of feeling and a complete loss of awareness that seems like a very deep sleep. Surgery may be open or minimally invasive. In minimally invasive surgery, the surgeon makes a few small cuts instead of one large one. In cancer surgery, the surgeon removes the cancer, usually along with some healthy tissue around it. Nearby lymph nodes or other tissues may also be removed and checked under a microscope to see if the cancer has spread.
Recovery
After surgery, the cuts can be painful and take some time to heal. Your doctor or nurse can help you manage pain after surgery. Once you are ready to go home, a nurse will tell you how to take care of yourself. The nurse will explain how to spot signs of infection and what steps to take if you do. You will have at least one more visit with the surgeon a week or two after you go home.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, fainting, or bleeding that will not stop.
Risks and side effects
Pain is a common problem after surgery. Infection is another problem that can happen after surgery. Other risks include bleeding, damage to nearby tissues, and reactions to the anesthesia.
Who performs it
A surgeon performs tumor removal. Outpatient surgery can be done in a doctor's office, a surgery center, or a hospital.
Common questions
Is every tumor cancer?
No, benign tumors are not cancer, while malignant tumors are.
Does tumor removal always take out the whole tumor?
No, in cancer surgery a surgeon sometimes removes some but not all of a tumor. This is called debulking, and it is used when removing an entire tumor might damage an organ or the body.
How long will I be off work after tumor removal?
It depends, and you may need only 1 day or many weeks. With local or regional anesthesia, you will probably return to work more quickly than with general anesthesia.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
