Which type of surgery is performed to relieve symptoms without curing the underlying disease?

The focus of palliative surgery is to alleviate symptoms associated with a disease rather than to eliminate the disease itself. This type of surgery is particularly important in managing conditions that may be terminal or chronic, where the goal is to enhance the quality of life for the patient. For instance, in cases of advanced cancer, a palliative procedure may be performed to relieve pain, manage obstructions, or reduce other distressing symptoms, while the underlying malignancy continues to progress.

In contrast, exploratory surgery is typically aimed at diagnosing a condition by examining the organs or tissues and may lead to curative measures depending on findings. Curative surgery is intended to remove or eradicate the disease completely, thereby addressing the underlying health issue directly. Ablative surgery involves removing a part of the body or the tissue to treat a specific ailment, often with the intent of curing the problem at hand. This highlights the distinct purpose of palliative surgery as focused on symptom management rather than disease eradication.