Surgery Side Effects

This section covers the following topics: 

Not all people experience side effects, but those who do may have options for minimizing or eliminating some of them. It is important for you to discuss possible surgical risks and long term complications with your surgeon to understand the seriousness and likelihood of each of these risks. For more information on specific types of surgery for cancer treatment, visit our Cancer Treatment by Cancer Type section.

Managing side effects from surgery

Every surgery has potential risks; some are more serious than others. Risks and complications of surgery may depend on several factors, including:

• the type of surgical procedure the size, stage and location of the cancer and how much it has spread
• removal of lymph nodes
• the overall health of the patient
• medications or treatments before or after surgery

Some general tips for managing surgical side effects include:

• Stay well hydrated and get the proper nutrition. Ask for a referral to a nutritionist if you need help. 
• Follow all your surgeon's orders. Take all medications as directed. Restrict activities as instructed. 
• Ask about referral for physical therapy to speed recovery. 

Recovery and short-term risks

Some of the more common short-term effects of surgery may include:

• anesthesia risks
• infection
• fluid build-up at the surgical site (seroma or hematoma)
• delayed healing
• blood loss
• blood clots
• injury to nearby organs
• pain (post-operative pain)

It's important to ask your surgeon what you should watch for after surgery to assure that your body is healing normally. Report any fever, worsening of pain, or discharge, swelling or redness at the incision site to your surgeon. 

Late-onset or long-term complications

Late-onset or long-term complications persist six months or longer after surgery. These may include: 

• numbness or unusual sensations (such as itching) at or near the surgical site
• hardening or scarring of tissue around the surgical site
• long-term pain syndromes 
• fluid buildup and swelling of extremities (lymphedema)
• long-term loss of mobility

Physical therapy, special massage, exercise programs and medications may help address some of the long-term complications of surgery. It's important that you report any symptoms or changes in your health to your doctor so that they can assess the cause of your symptoms and treat them.

Post-surgical pain syndrome is a long-term complication of nerve damage during surgery, especially mastectomy. It can lead to persistent pain, tingling or phantom itching. It is more likely to happen after radiation or when lymph nodes are removed during surgery. Treatment is available for this complication but might require referral to a specialist.