What is a common treatment option for malignant tumors that are identified early?

Surgical removal is often the most common and effective treatment option for malignant tumors that are identified early. When a tumor is detected at an early stage, the cancer is typically localized, which means it has not spread significantly. Surgical intervention allows for the complete excision of the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue, which helps to reduce the risk of recurrence.

In contrast, while chemotherapy and radiation therapy are important treatments for various cancers, they are generally more effective for tumors that are in more advanced stages, where surgical removal alone may not be sufficient to eliminate the disease. Chemotherapy is frequently used as a systemic treatment that targets rapidly dividing cells, but it is not typically the primary treatment for early-stage localized tumors. Radiation therapy may also be used adjunctively or palliatively rather than as the first-line treatment for early-stage cancers.

Therefore, when early intervention is possible, surgical removal is preferred due to its potential to provide a definitive cure by entirely removing the malignant tissue. The choice of adjuvant therapies like chemotherapy or radiation can then be guided by the specific tumor characteristics and risk factors post-surgery.