Debulking

Debulking^[1] is the surgical removal^[2] of part of a malignant tumour which cannot be completely excised, so as to enhance the effectiveness of radiation or chemotherapy. It is used only in specific malignancies, as generally partial removal of a tumor is not considered a worthwhile intervention. Ovarian carcinoma^[3] and some types of brain tumor^[4] are debulked prior to commencing radio- or chemotherapy. It may also be used in the case of slow growth tumors to shift tumor cells from phase of cell cycle to replicative pool.

It is usually a long and often complicated procedure taking several hours or more to perform, depending on internal involvement and location.

Debulking is also known as cytoreduction surgery;^[5] "cytoreduction" refers to reducing the number of cancer cells.

References

Surgery of the digestive system

Esophagus / Stomach	Resection Bariatric surgery

Abdomen	Debulking Hernia repair

Liver / Pancreas / Gallbladder / Biliary tract	Liver transplantation Resection Resection Whipple procedure Cholecystectomy

Small intestine	Resection Strictureplasty Transplantation Diversion - Ileostomy Loop ileostomy

Colon	Appendectomy Resection Abdominoperineal resection Lower anterior resection Colectomy Hemicolectomy Adhesions Diversion - Colostomy Hartmann's operation

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