Surgical Oncologist

What is a surgical oncologist?

A surgical oncologist is a surgeon who diagnoses and treats cancer. Surgery is the most common treatment for cancer. Surgical oncologists coordinate treatment with other specialists, like medical oncologists and radiation oncologists.

What does a surgical oncologist do?

Surgical oncologists have a wide range of responsibilities. These include:

• Doing biopsies to find out if unusual masses or growths are cancerous tumors and explaining the results
• Determining cancer stages
• Working with the rest of the cancer team to plan treatment
• Discussing potential surgical treatments and explaining their benefits and risks
• Explaining what you should do to prepare for surgery and what you can expect afterward
• Treating any surgery complications and overseeing your recovery
• Performing palliative care surgery to ease cancer symptoms

Why would I need to see a surgical oncologist?

You may need to see a surgical oncologist if:

• Cancer screening or other tests show signs of cancer.
• You have an increased risk of developing cancer.
• You need surgery to remove a cancerous tumor, including tumors that have spread (metastatic cancer).
• You need surgery for palliative care.

What types of surgeries do surgical oncologists perform?

Surgical oncologists perform:

• Minimally invasive surgery: They operate through several small cuts (incisions). They use specialized tools to remove the cancer.
• Open surgery: They make a single large cut to remove the cancer.

Surgery is a common treatment for solid tumors. It’s the main treatment for certain cancers, especially in the early stages when they haven’t spread. Examples of these cancers and their surgeries include:

• Colon cancer: A surgical oncologist removes colon polyps or part of your colon.
• Non-small cell lung cancer: A surgical oncologist removes all or part of a lung.
• Prostate cancer: A surgical oncologist removes your prostate.

What to expect during your first visit with a surgical oncologist

During your first visit, your surgical oncologist will explain what the test results mean and discuss the cancer stage. They’ll also talk to you about next steps and which treatment options may be a good fit for you. They’ll work with you to design a treatment schedule.

Your surgical oncologist will also ask how you’re doing. They understand a cancer diagnosis is a life-changing experience, and that the thought of surgery can be intimidating. They’ll want to get to know you and help you manage some of the stress.

Questions to ask your surgical oncologist

You’ll probably have a lot of questions and concerns. Your first visit with your surgical oncologist is a good opportunity to ask questions like:

• What’s the success rate of surgery?
• Will I need more than one surgery?
• Are there any nonsurgical options?