Cancer treatments: surgical oncology

What is surgical oncology?

It focuses on the surgical management of tumors, especially cancerous tumors

What are the goals of surgical oncology

• Diagnosis

• Prevention

• Cancer staging

• Cure or control

• Supportive or palliative care

• Rehabilitation

What is an excisional biopsy

The surgeon removes the entire tumor. Often some of the normal tissue around the tumor also is removed.

What is an incisional biopsy

The surgeon removes just part of the tumor.

What is preventative surgery

Removal of a non-essential organ that has the potential to develop cancer to prevent or reduce risk of subsequent malignancy

Example of preventative surgery

Prophylactic bilateral or contralateral mastectomy and oophorectomy for individuals with breast cancer who carry a BRCA1 or 2 gene mutation

What is curative surgery

Meant to cure the disease, includes removing part or all of the cancerous organ or tissue and a small amount of healthy tissue around it. Lymph nodes may also be removed. 

Works best for localized cancers.

Chemo or radiation may be given before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to kill any cancer cells that remain.

What is a sentinel lymph node

First few lymph nodes where a tumor drains, usually in the arm pits for breast cancer.

Treatment for lymphedema

• Avoid constricting clothing, jewelry

• Elevation of affected extremity

• Compression sleeves/bandages

• Exercises

• Pneumatic compression

• At risk for infection - good skin and nail care

• Gentle massage to affected limb

What is supportive care

Insertion of therapeutic devices for support of cancer treatment.

Rehabilitative (or reconstructive) surgery

• Returns the body to normal or near-normal appearance or function following cancer treatment.

Reconstructive and rehabilitative surgery has been associated with:

• Enhanced self-image

• Improved sexuality

• Improved physical functioning

• A sense of well-being

What is palliative surgery

Used to shrink tumors that are causing pain and other problems, improving quality of life.