What is the main focus of palliative surgery?

The main focus of palliative surgery is to relieve symptoms without addressing the underlying disease. This type of surgery aims to enhance the quality of life for patients who may have advanced or terminal conditions. Instead of trying to cure the disease, which may not be feasible, palliative surgery seeks to alleviate suffering by addressing symptoms, such as pain or obstruction, caused by the disease. This approach is particularly important for patients with conditions that are not responsive to curative treatments, as it allows them to maintain comfort and dignity during their illness.

In contrast, the other options suggest goals that do not align with the principles of palliative care. For instance, curing the disease entirely is not the objective in palliative surgery; rather, the focus is on symptom management. Similarly, improving diagnosis accuracy and exploring disease extent are more associated with diagnostic or curative surgeries rather than palliative intentions. The essence of palliative care is primarily concerned with enhancing quality of life rather than attempting to cure the illness itself.