Surgical Oncology

Surgery plays a vital role in cancer treatment, and advancements like minimally invasive and robotic procedures have made it even more effective and less invasive. At Shalby Hospital, our best cancer surgeons are dedicated to providing exceptional care while preserving your quality of life. While in some cases, removing an affected organ may be necessary to combat cancer, our skilled reconstruction experts can often restore organ structure and function, empowering you to regain confidence and return to your normal life.

What Is Surgical Oncology?

Surgical oncology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the surgical treatment of cancer. It involves diagnosing, staging (determining the extent of cancer), and removing cancerous tumors through various surgical procedures. Surgical oncologists are highly trained surgeons with expertise in cancer surgery and its related aspects.

Key Roles of Surgical Oncology

• Diagnosis: Surgical oncologists perform biopsies to confirm the presence of cancer and determine its type and stage.
• Removing Tumor: The primary goal of cancer surgery is to remove the tumor and a margin of surrounding tissue to eliminate the cancer.
• Preventing the Spread of Cancer: Surgery can remove lymph nodes or other tissues where cancer may have spread, preventing further metastasis.
• Reconstruction of body parts: Surgeons can reconstruct areas affected by cancer removal to restore function and appearance.
• Palliative care: Surgery can relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, and manage complications in cases where a cure isn’t possible.

Surgical Oncology Procedure

• Breast Cancer Surgery
  Breast cancer surgery is a common surgical oncology procedure used to treat breast cancer. There are several types of breast cancer surgery, each with its own benefits and risks:
• Breast-conserving surgery (BCS): This type of surgery, also known as lumpectomy or partial mastectomy, involves removing only the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue. It is usually followed by radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.
• Modified radical mastectomy (MRM): This type of surgery involves removing the entire breast, including the nipple and areola, but not the underlying chest muscles. It is often used for larger tumors or for women who have a high risk of recurrence.
• Lumpectomy: This type of surgery is similar to BCS, but it involves removing a smaller amount of tissue around the tumor. It is usually an option for small tumors that have not spread to the lymph nodes.
• Chemoport Insertion: A chemo port is a small, implanted device that allows chemotherapy drugs to be delivered directly into a vein. This can help to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and make it more convenient for patients.
• Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS): This is a procedure used to remove as much of the tumor as possible, even if it cannot be completely eradicated. It is often used in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• Commando Surgery (Composite Resection): A complex procedure used for head and neck cancer, where the tumor and surrounding tissues, along with lymph nodes, are removed. This is often followed by reconstructive surgery.
• Orchidectomy (Orchiectomy): The surgical removal of one or both testicles, often used to treat testicular cancer.
• Radical Hysterectomy: This extensive surgery removes the uterus, cervix, surrounding tissues, and pelvic lymph nodes. It’s typically used for advanced cervical or uterine cancer.
• Radical Cholecystectomy: This procedure removes the gallbladder, part of the liver, and nearby lymph nodes. It’s used for gallbladder cancer that has spread beyond the gallbladder.
• Whipple’s Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy): A complex surgery that removes the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, gallbladder, and bile duct. It’s used for pancreatic cancer.
• Thyroidectomy: The removal of all or part of the thyroid gland, often used to treat thyroid cancer.
• Parotidectomy: This surgery removes all or part of the parotid gland, the largest salivary gland. It is often used to treat salivary gland tumors.
• Colectomy: The removal of all or part of the colon (large intestine). It’s used to treat colon cancer.