ABSTRACT
The first recorded elective tumor resection was performed in 1809 by an American surgeon, Ephraim McDowell. He successfully removed a 22-lb ovarian tumor from a patient who subsequently survived 30 years. McDowell’s work, which included 12 more ovarian resections, stimulated greater interest in elective surgery for cancer patients. In 1842, ether was first used for general anesthesia and the first published account of ether anesthesia (1846) was for the elective removal of a tongue carcinoma.
