Surgical Oncology

A surgical oncologist specializes in removing cancerous tumors, performing diagnostic biopsies, staging cancers, and reconstructing affected areas after tumor removal. They coordinate with medical oncologists and radiation oncologists for comprehensive cancer treatment plans.

Surgery is recommended when a tumor can be safely removed, for cancer staging and diagnosis through biopsy, for debulking large tumors before other treatments, for removing recurrent cancer, and for palliative purposes to relieve symptoms caused by tumor mass.

A surgical oncologist has fellowship training specifically in cancer surgery, with expertise in tumor biology, staging, margin assessment, lymph node evaluation, and multidisciplinary cancer management. General surgeons handle a broader range of non-cancer surgical conditions.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy identifies the first lymph nodes to which a cancer is likely to spread. By removing and testing these nodes, the surgeon can determine if cancer has spread beyond the primary tumor without removing all regional lymph nodes.

Yes, online consultations are valuable for reviewing pathology and imaging reports, discussing surgical options, getting second opinions, understanding risks and outcomes, and coordinating post-surgical follow-up care.