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Intermediate Technical In the Industry Vocabulary Test

Cytoreductive Surgery

Surgical procedure aimed at removing the maximum amount of visible tumor tissue, typically performed when complete resection is not feasible.

Full Definition

Cytoreductive surgery, also known as debulking surgery, involves the surgical removal of as much tumor tissue as possible while preserving vital organ function. This approach is commonly employed in advanced ovarian cancer, peritoneal carcinomatosis, and other malignancies where complete resection would be too morbid or technically impossible. The goal is to reduce tumor burden to enhance the effectiveness of subsequent chemotherapy or other treatments. Optimal cytoreduction, defined as leaving residual disease smaller than 1 cm (or no visible disease), has been associated with improved survival outcomes in multiple cancer types.

In Context

  • "The patient underwent cytoreductive surgery with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis." — Operative report
  • "Optimal cytoreductive surgery was achieved with no residual disease greater than 2 mm visible at completion." — Surgical summary

Also known as

debulking surgery tumor debulking maximal cytoreduction

Contrasted with

complete resection R0 resection

Don't confuse with

cytoreduction tumor ablation
cytoreduction ← Back to glossary cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4

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