It is often said 'what cannot be cured has to be endured'. However, the endurance of suffering can at least be minimized by a surgeon. Traditionally, healthcare research has mainly centered over treatment approaches which increased the longevity of patients with incurable cancer. However, in addition, the focus is now also on the role of surgical intervention in palliation of symptoms of these patients, in order to provide them with comfort and dignity along with end-of-life medical care. Any surgical procedure undertaken to relieve symptoms and to enhance quality of life, with little or no bearing on overall survival of the patient, constitute a part of 'Palliative Surgery'. Surgery comprises a potentially viable option of palliation. However, it should not prove to be an unfavorable treatment to the patients. An effective and quality palliative surgery requires assessment of optimal timing and selection of suitable operative procedure(s) with a minimal perioperative morbidity and mortality.