What is one palliative treatment approach for cancer?

Debulking surgery is a palliative treatment approach intended to reduce the size and burden of a tumor, rather than to cure the cancer. The primary goal of this procedure is to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients suffering from advanced cancer. By removing a significant portion of the tumor, even if the cancer cannot be entirely eliminated, patients may experience less pain, better functioning of nearby organs, and an overall improvement in their comfort levels.

In palliative care, the emphasis is on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the disease, and debulking surgery aligns with this goal when the cancer is at an advanced stage. It is distinct from reconstructive surgery (which is more focused on restoring appearance and function after treatment), chemotherapy (which is typically a curative or disease-modifying approach), and control of tumor spread (which is more about long-term management rather than immediate symptom relief).