Which surgery is aimed at improving quality of life rather than prolonging life?

Palliative surgery is specifically designed to enhance the patient's quality of life, rather than to prolong life or cure the underlying disease. This type of surgery may alleviate symptoms caused by the cancer, such as pain or obstruction, allowing for improved comfort and functioning. For example, it might involve removing a tumor that is causing severe pain or pressure, or addressing issues that impact the patient's ability to eat or breathe comfortably.

In contrast, preventative surgery focuses on removing potential cancerous tissues before they develop into cancer, which is not aimed at addressing current symptoms or improving quality of life. Curative surgery is intended to remove cancer entirely in hopes of curing the patient, while diagnostic surgery is performed to determine the presence or extent of cancer. Therefore, palliative surgery is uniquely focused on the immediate benefits for the patient's experience, rather than the disease itself.