So What Does Surgery Do?

The doctor I talked to today said that surgery is not a cure. Surgery provides a definitive diagnosis and "debulks" (makes smaller) the tumor. It is believed, but not proven, that fewer cancer cells are easier to treat with radiation and chemotherapy. If I do have a stage I or II glioma surgery does not remove all of the glioma cells. Some cells will be remaining. And if they're going to change into a III or IV, they will still do this. In fact, surgery can sometimes cause cells to change grade. In addition, radiation treatment may also create risk on low-grade gliomas. If I do not have surgery and the cells change grade the tumor will grow. Then we know it's time for surgery and treatment for cancer. Until that happens, if it ever happens, it this doctor's opinion that it doesn't make sense to do surgery. Furthermore, if I were to need surgery and cancer treatment in the future they're likely to be improvements that I can take advantage of.