Cancer is one of the most complex healthcare problems globally; multidisciplinary treatment is necessary. Surgical oncologists are among the main specialists in cancer treatment. These practitioners focus on using surgery for the diagnosis, treatment, and control of cancer. Their skills integrated with new medical technology make a significant difference to the lives of patients.

Who Are Surgical Oncologists?

Surgical oncologists are specially trained in general surgery and oncology. Their primary concern is the surgical operation of tumours and cancerous tissues with the least possible damage to the nearby healthy tissues. They are part of a team of specialists that includes a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, and a pathologist, who work together to prepare an integrated treatment plan for each patient.

Role of a Surgical Oncologist

A surgical oncologist’s work entails more than just performing surgery. Their work also includes:

Diagnosis of Cancer:

• Surgical cysto- and colonoscopies and any intending surgical procedure is accompanied by biopsy for confirming oncological lesions.
• Imaging investigations and laboratory investigations of the tumour are detailed to outline the tumour.

Surgical Treatment of Cancer:

• Cancerous tumours and tissues are removed surgically, which requires great skill.
• Surgical procedures can be performed using laparoscopic or robotic means.
• Reconstructive surgery when indicated.

Care Provided Before and After Surgery:

• Informing the patient about the procedure, associated risks, and likely results prior to surgery takes place with the aim of medically preparing the individual for the surgery.
• Providing pain management and complication monitoring after the surgery during the postoperative phase.
• Working with oncologists to further plan chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Palliative Surgery: 

• In cases where a tumour cannot be fully removed due to other reasons yet there is a need to relieve other symptoms, the remaining surgery combined with symptom relief surgery is performed to ensure a better quality of life.

Surgical Interventions that Surgical Oncologists Undertake

Surgical oncologists use different surgical procedures depending on the stage or type of cancer.

Curative Surgery:

In cases when the patient’s cancerous tumours have been discovered at an early stage, the entire tumour is removed from the patient’s body.

Debulking Surgery: 

Some situations may prevent the complete removal of the tumour, in which case other therapies will have to be used. The goal here becomes reducing the size of the tumour.

Palliative Surgery: 

Treating a tumour’s pressure on organs such as the lungs, bladder, or spurting pain makes the palliative method of cancer surgery simple.

Preventive Surgery: 

This involves the removal of specific tissue or organ that seems highly susceptible to cancers, the most common being mastectomy for women with a history of breast cancer in the family.

Reconstructive Surgery: 

Post-treatment and after going through other lesions related to cancer, some patients require breast replacement after mastectomy to stimulate both function and body image equating to cancer survivorship.

Surgical Oncology’s Current Developments

There has been a significant evolution in surgical oncology due to the advancement of technology. These innovations have enhanced results and reduced recovery periods. Examples include:

• Robotic-Assisted Surgery: Accuracy is improved with this technology, which leads to smaller surgical openings and shorter recovery times.
• Minimally invasive techniques – use of the laparoscopic procedure decreases complication rates and length of hospital admissions.
• Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) – radiation is delivered to a tumour at the same time it is being surgically removed.
• Integration of Targeted Therapy: The use of surgery in conjunction with other targeted therapies improves survival and decreases the chances of recurrence.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Surgical Oncologist

An appropriate surgical oncologist must be chosen to ensure adequate treatment of the cancer. In doing so, the following should be considered:

Depth of Practice: 

The surgeon must be board certified and have a fellowship in the specific type of cancer surgery being covered.

Hospital Associations: 

Select a hospital or cancer centre offering comprehensive and advanced surgical oncology services with a sophisticated surgical oncology division.

Interpersonal Skills: 

The surgeon has to detail the care to be given, its benefits, any risks, and what is planned after the treatment is implemented.

The Views of Patients Concerning the Physician and His Patients: 

Previous patients provide valuable information on what it is like to undergo surgery with a specific surgeon and therefore their expertise.

Suggest Read: Medical Oncology

Summary

Alongside their medical counterparts, surgical oncologists have been increasingly assuming responsibility in the management and treatment of cancer patients. Surgical oncologists utilize their surgical skills to enable cancer patients to live longer while improving their quality of life. Continuous advancement in medical technologies and collaborative care practices places surgical oncology as one of the pillars in cancer care and treatment. It is advisable to seek the services of an experienced oncological surgeon for proper management and referral on treatment after receiving a diagnosis of cancer.