Navigating a cancer diagnosis and seeking treatment can be confusing when there are multiple factors in the decision making process. By taking the time to understand surgical options for cancer treatment, you can make informed decisions with the guidance of your oncologist towards a treatment that best fits your type and severity of cancer.
What is Cancer Surgery Called?
Cancer surgery, better known as surgical oncology, is a speciality of general surgery dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer. Surgical oncologists can see if you have cancer, how far it has spread, and determine if there is a surgical option to treat your tumors.
What does a Surgical Oncologist do?
A surgical oncologist diagnoses cancer and develops treatment plans with your primary care doctor. Although there are more cancer treatment options outside of surgery, surgical oncologists focus only on performing surgical procedures to diagnose, treat, and manage cancer. For chemotherapy treatments, you should speak to a medical oncologist, which many refer to as their primary cancer doctor.
Types of Surgery
Cancer surgery comes in multiple forms based on the type and severity of the cancer. Multiple types of surgery may be combined to approach cancer treatment depending on what your oncologist believes is the best for you. Here are the following types of cancer surgery:
Diagnostic
Diagnostic surgery, commonly known as a biopsy, is used to determine if cancer is present. During a biopsy, a sample of the tissue taken from the suspected area is examined under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present. After a diagnosis is determined, an oncologist can begin to develop a plan for future treatment.
Preventative
When a biopsy determines that there are no cancer cells present, preventative surgery aims to remove masses that could become malignant, meaning that the tumor would grow rapidly and spread to other parts of the body. Preventative surgery can also focus on preventing the development of cancer altogether by looking at family history and genealogy. For example, a woman may opt for a preventative mastectomy because of having a family history of breast cancer.
Staging
A staging surgery is used when surgeons need to uncover how far cancer has spread throughout the body. Samples can be taken from the tumor and the surrounding lymph nodes to determine your prognosis, or chance for full recovery. Staging surgeries can be done laparoscopically, where a surgeon feedsa camera through a small incision to see the tumor and collect samples to be tested.
Debulking
Debulking surgery is used when a tumor cannot be removed in one full piece. Instead, the surgeon removes portions to alleviate symptoms being caused by the cancer. Debulking can be followed with other cancer treatment methods such as radiation or chemotherapy in an effort to shrink the remaining portion of the tumor.
Curative
The most common type of cancer surgery is curative, where surgeons operate and remove the entire tumor. Curative surgery is easiest when cancer is only within one area, as it reduces the need for incisions and recovery time. If the cancer has spread past the area, radiation or chemotherapy may be needed in conjunction with the surgery.
Restorative
Following cancer surgery, a patient may be left with a change in appearance or in body part function, which is where restorative surgery comes in. Restorative surgery acts as a supplemental surgery to provide a patient with restored function and appearance after cancer treatment surgery. Restorative surgery can occur during the original cancer treatment surgery or after chemotherapy or radiation treatments. A common example of reconstructive surgery is having breast reconstruction surgery after having breast cancer removed.
Supportive
When seeking out other types of cancer treatment, supportive surgery may be necessary to begin chemotherapy or radiation. Chemotherapy requires a catheter port to distribute medicine on a regular schedule. This catheter is inserted during a supportive surgery.
Chemotherapy can have adverse effects that affect a patient’s appetite, so another supportive surgery to insert a feeding tube may be necessary to ensure you have enough nutrition to continue treatment.
Palliative
Once cancer enters advanced stages, palliative surgery focuses on improving quality of life by relieving symptoms caused by cancer instead of trying to be curative. Palliative surgery generally includes operations such as removing a tumor to alleviate a blockage or attempting to relieve medication-resistant pain.
Approaches
Surgical oncologists can use two different approaches to address cancer: open surgery or minimally invasive surgery.
Open Surgery
Open surgery is a traditional, large-incision surgery that allows a surgeon access to remove the tumor, a small amount of the surrounding healthy tissue, and any lymph nodes that may be needed for further testing.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Minimally invasive surgery, called laparoscopic surgery, involves multiple small incisions to insert a small camera called a laparoscope and special surgical tools. The laparoscope allows surgeons to see the field on a monitor while the surgeon uses the tools to remove tumors and some healthy tissue just as with an open surgery.
What are the most common surgical oncology procedures?
Surgical oncologists commonly perform biopsies and surgeries for cancerous growth removal. Surgery is also used to determine the extent and stage of cancer and, in some cases, act as a preventative measure. Surgery can stand as the only treatment or work alongside other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.
Biopsies
Biopsies are used to collect samples to send to a pathologist, a medical professional that specializes in lab testing, and determine if cancer cells are present. Biopsies can occur in many ways such as:
Needle biopsies
- Excisional (removing an entire suspicious area, such as a mole or tumor)
- Incisional (removing a portion of a suspicious area)
- Laparotomy (abdominal surgery)
- Endoscopic or laparoscopic (surgery using a scope)
- Skin biopsy
Surgical Procedures
When determining a surgical approach to cancer treatment, surgeons have to look at various factors such as the size of tissue affected, the area of the body being operated on, and the purpose of the surgery. Procedures can be open or minimally invasive, for example:
- Laparoscopy
- Laser surgery
- Cryosurgery (freezing of skin and cells)
- Hyperthermia (heating of tissue)
- Microscopically controlled surgery
- Endoscopy
Procedures Offered at The Surgical Clinic
Breast Reconstructive Surgery
Our skilled Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons specialize in breast reconstructive surgery, offering innovative and personalized solutions to restore form and confidence for individuals who have undergone mastectomy or breast-related cancer treatments.
Cancer Removal Surgery
Navigate the path to recovery with our expert Surgical Oncologists, who are adept at cancer removal surgery. Our focus is on precise interventions that effectively eliminate cancerous growths, promoting optimal outcomes and your overall well-being.
Needle Biopsies
Experience minimally invasive diagnostic procedures with our needle biopsy services. Our advanced techniques ensure precise sample collection for accurate cancer diagnosis while prioritizing your comfort and swift recovery.
Robotic Surgery
Embrace the future of surgical innovation with our robotic surgery services. Our state-of-the-art robotic-assisted procedures offer enhanced precision, shorter recovery times, and reduced discomfort, ensuring you receive the most advanced and patient-friendly interventions.
Skin Biopsies
Detecting and diagnosing skin-related cancers is streamlined with our skin biopsy services. Our experienced dermatologists utilize advanced techniques to obtain tissue samples for a thorough examination, allowing for precise diagnosis and tailored treatment plans.
Tumor Removal Surgery
Benefit from our specialized Surgical Oncologists proficient in tumor removal surgery. Whether addressing tumors in various parts of the body, our surgeons focus on comprehensive removal while prioritizing your well-being throughout the process.
What are my next steps to find an oncologist?
If you have been diagnosed with cancer or are concerned that you might be at risk, The Surgical Clinic in Middle Tennessee has a surgical oncology team that is experienced in treating colon, rectal, stomach, gallbladder and hepato-pancreato-biliary cancer.
Click here to find your surgeon and book an appointment for individualized cancer care.