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New Paradigms of Cancer Require New Language: A Qualitative Study Exploring Language for Non-Curative Non-Palliative
Bonnie O Wong1,2,3, Orly N Farber1,2, Amanda J Reich2
1Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Journal of Surgical Oncology
|June 19, 2026
Summary
Traditional cancer surgery terms "curative" or "palliative" are insufficient. A new "disease-control" surgery category better reflects modern cancer care, focusing on patient-specific treatment goals within a multidisciplinary approach.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Evolving cancer biology and treatments are changing cancer into a chronic disease.
- Surgery's role is shifting beyond purely curative or palliative intent.
- Existing terminology struggles to encompass new surgical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the inadequacy of traditional surgical intent categories.
- To introduce and define "disease-control" surgery.
- To align surgical terminology with contemporary cancer care.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews with 18 cancer surgeons from 16 US institutions.
- Purposive snowball sampling for participant recruitment.
- Thematic analysis of interview data exploring hypothetical scenarios.
Main Results:
- Surgeons recognize limitations in "curative" vs. "palliative" language.
- "Disease-control" surgery encompasses debulking, resecting resistant disease, and managing indolent tumors.
- Surgical goals are increasingly integrated into broader patient treatment plans.
Conclusions:
- Current surgical intent categories are inadequate for modern cancer surgery.
- A "disease-control" framework may improve communication and research.
- Standardized terminology requires multidisciplinary validation.
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