Surgical Oncology Treatment
Surgical oncology continues to be Hobson’s choice to treat most solid cancers, despite remarkable advances in medical and radiation oncology. Surgical oncologists play a key role in cancer treatment and cancer research. They lead the diagnostic and treatment pathways for most cancers, from diagnosis to surgery and post-operative care. Treatment for most cancers involves surgery and radiation therapies, apart from medicinal treatment, considering better clinical outcomes and an enhanced patient life span.
What is surgical oncology?
Surgical oncology is a branch of oncology that follows a surgical approach to treat cancer. The tumor or cancerous tissue is surgically removed to stop it from growing or spreading to other parts of the body. Surgery can be employed as the only mode of treatment, or it can be performed in conjunction with radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Who are surgical oncologists?
Surgical oncologists are doctors who use surgery as a modality to improve your condition. They work with the primary care doctor to develop a treatment plan. Their main responsibility is to remove the tumors and any tissue that has cancerous cells in it. They also perform certain procedures called biopsies to confirm the presence of cancer and determine the severity of the disease.
When is it necessary to have cancer surgery?
Surgical oncology can treat people in the early stages of cancer as well as those who have advanced disease. Cancer surgery is not only used for the treatment of cancer but also for a variety of objectives, such as: Prevention of cancer
If you have a high risk of developing cancer in some part of your body, a surgical oncologist removes the tissue in the area that is precancerous or likely to become cancerous.
- Diagnosis of cancer
When a doctor sees a tumor or signs of growth, a surgical oncologist removes all or some part of the tissue. Then, a process known as biopsy is performed, where a scientist examines the tissue under a microscope to see if cancer cells are present.
- Staging of cancer
Oncologists use surgery to understand the stage of cancer. They assess the size of the tumor and see if it has spread to other parts of the body.
- Cancer treatment planning
The surgical oncologist, along with the other cancer care specialists, plans and decides the cancer treatment plan, taking into account each cancer patient’s unique circumstances.
How does surgical oncology play a key role in the treatment of cancer?
Surgical oncology, or cancer surgery, plays a pivotal role in treating cancer.
- It helps in definitive surgical treatment, especially in the case of localized cancers.
- Cancer surgery helps in effective decision-making and planning of treatment in collaboration with other treatment types.
- Reconstruction of resected organs.
What are the various surgical procedures?
Surgical procedures are carried out for different purposes.
- Diagnostic Surgery
Diagnostic surgery is most popularly known as “biopsy.”. It is performed to find out whether someone has cancer.
- Curative Surgery
Curative surgery is performed when the tumor is in one place, and the surgical oncologist can remove all of it.
- Debulking Surgery
When it is dangerous to remove the complete tumor, a debulking procedure is employed. The surgical oncologist removes as much as possible and treats the remaining with chemotherapy and/or radiation.
- Staging surgery
A staging surgery determines where the cancer is located, whether it has spread, and whether it is affecting the functions of other organs.
- Preventive surgery
Preventive surgery is conducted to remove body tissue that may become cancerous.
- Supportive surgery
Supportive surgery is performed to support other types of treatment.
- Reconstructive surgery
Reconstructive surgery is performed by surgical oncologists to restore the look and function of areas affected by cancer.
- Palliative surgery
Doctors can suggest palliative surgery to bring relief from symptoms caused by advanced cancer conditions.
How is cancer surgery performed?
Open surgery and minimally invasive surgery are the two main methods of cancer surgery.
In open surgery, the surgical oncologist will make a large incision, usually to remove all or part of a tumor and some of the surrounding healthy tissue.
Minimally invasive surgical techniques may involve:
- Laparoscopy: A surgical oncologist will make a few small incisions and place a laparoscope—a thin tube with a tiny camera connected to it—into one of the incisions to capture an interior image while using surgical instruments to excise malignancies and surrounding tissue.
- Laser surgery: The surgeon will utilize a narrow beam of high-intensity light to remove a tumor.
- Cryosurgery: The surgeon will use liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill cancer cells.
- Robotic Surgery: This surgery is similar to laparoscopic surgery. However, instead of manipulating surgical tools by hand, the surgeon controls the robotic equipment through a computer interface.
Are you in need of a surgical oncologist in Hyderabad?
Surgery cures the majority of cancer patients and helps improve treatment outcomes. Cancer surgery treats a wide range of cancers, depending on their location, size, and stage. Cancer Clinics is the premier surgical oncology hospital in Hyderabad, with a team of expert doctors and medical professionals who will advise you on a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs and treatment goals. Cancer clinics will be your companion to fight and win over cancer.
