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 can:

• Do biopsies to find out if unusual masses or growths are cancerous tumors
• Explain what biopsy results mean
• Determine cancer stages
• Work with the rest of the cancer team to plan treatment
• Discuss potential surgical treatments
• Explain the benefits and drawbacks of potential surgical treatments
• Explain what you should do to prepare for surgery
• Discuss what you can expect after surgery
• Oversee your recovery from surgery
• Treat any surgery complications
• Perform 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 (your surgical oncologist will arrange for a biopsy to obtain a sample of suspect tissue)
• You have an increased risk of developing cancer; for example, they may do a prophylactic mastectomy if you have a high breast cancer risk
• You need surgery to remove a cancerous tumor including tumors that spread (metastatic cancer)
• You need palliative care surgery to ease your symptoms

What types of surgeries do surgical oncologists perform?

Cancer surgery may be minimally invasive or open surgery.

• Minimally invasive surgery. Surgical oncologists make several small incisions(cuts). They use specialized tools to remove a cancerous tumor
• Open surgery. Providers make a single large cut (incision) to remove a cancerous tumor.

Surgery is a common treatment for solid tumors. It’s the primary treatment for cancers like breast cancer. It may also be a primary treatment for early-stage cancer. This is cancer that hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes. For example, surgery is the primary treatment for early-stage:

• Colon cancer, where a surgical oncologist may do a polypectomy or partial colectomy.
• Non-small cell lung cancer, which may include a lobectomy or lung resection.
• Prostate cancer, whose surgery may be a prostatectomy.

What to expect during your first visit with a surgical oncologist

Your surgical oncologist will:

• Explain what test results mean
• Discuss the cancer stage
• Explain treatment options, benefits and any downsides (for example, they may recommend a specific type of minimally invasive surgery, or they may recommend open surgery)
• Discuss next steps, like deciding on treatment and scheduling treatment

Your surgical oncologist will also ask how you’re doing. They understand a cancer diagnosis is a life-changing experience. They also know surgery can be intimidating. They’ll want to get to know you and how they can 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 other types of care will I receive?
• What’s the goal of this surgery?
• What’s the success rate?
• Will I need more than one surgery?
• Are there any nonsurgical options?

What’s the difference between a medical oncologist and a surgical oncologist?

Medical oncologist uses nonsurgical techniques to treat cancer. For example, they treat cancer with chemotherapy, hormonal therapies and immunotherapies. If you have cancer, you may receive nonsurgical and surgical treatments.