What is a primary approach to treating solid-mass cancers?

Surgery is considered a primary approach to treating solid-mass cancers because it involves the physical removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue, which is often critical for controlling the disease. The primary goal of surgery is to eliminate the cancer completely or reduce the tumor size to improve the effectiveness of other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation. In cases where the cancer has not spread significantly, surgery can potentially lead to a cure.

While other methods like radiation therapy are essential and can be used either as a primary treatment or in conjunction with surgery, they are not the first-line treatment for many solid tumors. Bone marrow transplant is generally used for blood-related cancers and is not applicable to solid tumors. Alternative therapies can provide supportive care but are not typically considered primary treatments for solid-mass cancers. Hence, the direct approach of surgical removal is often the most definitive method for treating these types of cancers.