Surgical oncology is the specialization of surgery that deals with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of benign and, mainly, malignant tumors.
Oncological surgery aims at multidisciplinary care for the treatment of cancer. The trained surgeon specializes in various types of cancer and works with a team of specialists such as oncologists, anesthesiologists, radiation therapists, psychologists, nutritionists and other team members to ensure the best treatments and care for our patients.
In the context of surgical oncology, the operations performed may be:
- Diagnostics
- Preventative
- Therapeutic
- Supportive
What types of cancer do surgical oncologists treat?
Surgery is not appropriate for one type of cancer, but it is an effective treatment option for many types. Your doctor may recommend surgical oncology if you have cancer in:
- Breast
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Colon
- Rectus
- Anus
- Thyroid
- Skin
- Lungs
- Gallbladder
- Kidney
- Liver
- Pancreas
- uterus
- Ovaries
Where and how surgical oncology is practiced today
Cancer surgery can be performed to treat, prevent, and diagnose cancer, or to determine its stage. There are also other situations in which an intervention can, for example, relieve the pain and suffering a patient is suffering from cancer. More specifically, surgical oncology includes:
Surgery to diagnose cancer: Tissue is removed for analysis. This procedure is known as a biopsy.
Surgery to determine the stage of the cancer: It aims to identify the extent of the cancer in order to determine the treatment that the patient should follow.
Curative surgery: Used when the cancer is in a specific part of the body and can be completely removed (in most cases).
Palliative surgery: It aims to treat complications caused by advanced cancer, for example by alleviating the patient’s discomfort or disability. It can also be used to control pain. In short, it helps improve the patient’s quality of life, not cure or eradicate cancer.
Reconstructive surgery: Used to improve the patient’s aesthetic appearance after major cancer surgery (eg, mastectomy).
Prophylactic surgery: Used to remove tissue that could develop into cancer. It is used to reduce or prevent the risk of developing cancer, although it may not always be successful.
How it is accomplished
The surgeon, according to the diagnosis and the laboratory-imaging control, plans and decides on the surgical intervention based on the optimal expected results for the patient.
The surgery is performed under anesthesia. Anesthesia can be general or regional and this decision is made by the surgeon and anesthetist after discussion with the patient.
Preparation for Oncological surgery in cases of cancer
Pre-operative tests are required which aim to give the doctor a complete picture of the patient’s condition. Common tests that may be ordered include:
- Blood tests
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Chest x-ray
- CT scan
- Magnetic Tomography
- Colonoscopy
- Gastroscopy
Abstinence from food and fluid intake is often required for a specified period of time before the scheduled day of surgery.
Care after surgery
Post-operative care will vary depending on the type of surgery. It is possible that the patient will need to stay in the hospital for some time after the operation. In addition, he should visit the specialist periodically, for example to assess progress or remove stitches.
After surgery, the doctor may give a series of recommendations for the patient to follow, which may include guidelines about:
- Diet
- Incision care
- Pharmaceutical treatment
- Pain management
- Activities that can be carried out
- Back to work
The right cancer treatment will depend on factors such as the type of cancer itself, its stage and location. Surgery is particularly effective when the tumor has not spread to other parts of the body and, in these cases, there is a greater chance of a full recovery.
There are other treatments that can be used before, after, or at the same time as surgery. These are:
- Radiation Therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Hormonal therapy
- Stem cell or bone marrow transplant
Consult the appropriate surgeon
For the most effective treatment of cancer and tumors in general, choosing the right surgeon is of utmost importance. Knowledge, experience and expertise in oncology are primary criteria for a correct approach to each particular case, while the application of the most modern technologies and treatments will lead more easily to the path to healing. For any question or need, contact Dr. Konstantinos Alexiou who, with his multi-dimensional knowledge and expertise in the field of Surgery as well as his extensive experience which includes the successful outcome of more than 10,000 operations of all kinds -, is the doctor who can ensure to the patient not only the cure but also a human approach by creating bonds of trust.
