Surgical Oncology
Surgical oncology is a specialized field of medicine focused on the surgical treatment of cancer. Surgical oncologists are trained to perform operations to remove tumors and surrounding tissues, as well as to perform biopsies for diagnostic purposes. Their primary goal is to achieve complete tumor removal while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, which is critical for effective cancer treatment.
In addition to tumor removal, surgical oncologists are involved in staging cancer, which is determining the extent of the disease, and assessing the need for additional treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. They often work collaboratively with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other healthcare professionals to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to each patient’s specific cancer type and stage.
Surgical oncology encompasses various procedures, including lumpectomies and mastectomies for breast cancer, resections for gastrointestinal cancers, and the removal of tumors from various organs, such as the lungs, liver, and pancreas.