Surgical Oncology

Why We're Different

We work closely with you to find surgical options best suited to your individual needs and preferences, so you can feel confident in your treatment decisions:

• Before you begin treatment, we may perform a biopsy to accurately diagnose and stage the disease. If surgery is part of your treatment plan, we’ll explain what you can expect, answer your questions, and help you feel comfortable with the upcoming procedure. 
• During treatment, we may use surgery to remove a tumor and/or to relieve symptoms. Sometimes, our pathologists can evaluate tissue samples as they are removed and provide results immediately. This helps to ensure that we remove as much cancerous tissue as possible during a procedure, reducing the likelihood of multiple surgeries.
• After treatment, we’ll help you manage any side effects, such as lymphedema. Depending on the type of procedure you had, you may decide to have restorative or reconstructive surgery to repair or restore a body part. An image enhancement specialist is also available to help you find ways to look and feel your best.

The type of surgery you receive depends on factors such as the location, size, type, grade, and stage of the tumor, as well as your age, general health, and other factors. We often provide other cancer therapies (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy) before or after surgery to stop cancer growth, spread or recurrence.

How We Support You

While removing malignant tumors is a primary objective, we also understand the importance of quality of life. Surgery can also help you relieve pain, maintain dignity, and preserve normal function.

For example, we can insert tunneled catheters to help control pleural effusion so you can feel more comfortable and maintain your nutritional status.

We also perform port placement procedures so you can get fluids, blood drawn, and chemotherapy treatments without multiple needle pricks. In addition, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies (a PEG tube) can help improve your nutritional status.

Throughout your treatment, other therapies help reduce side effects, promote independence, and relieve stress so you can enjoy a better quality of life. Some of these therapies include: nutrition therapy, naturopathic medicine, pain management, oncology rehabilitation, mind-body medicine, and spiritual counseling.