Surgical Oncology

Surgical Oncology

What is Surgical Oncology?

Surgery is a treatment modality in cancer care and is usually performed to remove cancer cells and alleviate other cancer-related symptoms. Whether or not a patient requires a surgery depends on multiple factors such as the type, size, location, grade and stage of the tumour, as well as other general health factors such as the patient’s age, physical fitness and other medical conditions. In many cases, surgeries are combined with other treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy or hormone therapy. These may be given before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) or after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy) to help prevent cancer growth, spread or recurrence.

At the beginning of the treatment planning process, the specialists plan on how to proactively manage the possible side effects of the surgery. A team of nutritionists, rehabilitation therapists and other clinicians work alongside the surgical oncologist to support the patients healing and quality of life post surgery.

Organ Preserving Surgery

A wide range of surgical and non-surgical approaches are available to achieve functional organ preservation. Organ preservation surgeries at BHIO allow the specialists to remove the tumour from a site on the body without having to remove the organ. The surgeries can be performed for the removal of the tumour in the following cancers: breast cancer, prostate cancer, tongue cancer and laryngeal cancer, to name a few.

Non-surgical approaches include mainly chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Many different surgical approaches are available, including open surgery, minimally-invasive techniques such as key-hole surgery, and of course transoral techniques. However, the specific techniques will depend on the location of the tumour and other patient- and tumour-related factors.

Types of organ-preserving surgeries performed:

• Radical tonsillectomy or other oropharyngeal resection
• Partial laryngectomy or pharyngectomy
• Transoral laser microresection
• Transoral robotic surgery (TORS)
• Reconstructive surgery may be combined with primary resection
• Neck dissection may be indicated in some patients
• Postoperative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy may be indicated in some patients according to their pathologic reports.
• Breast Conservation surgery

Reconstructive Surgery

Cancer treatment sometimes changes the appearance of a body part, while reconstructive surgery helps to repair that damage. Reconstructive surgery is most commonly needed after the cancer surgery to address the possible deformities or restore the functions of the tissues and organs affected. A patient may choose to have reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy. In cases involving the cancer of head & neck, a reconstructive surgery may be required to replace tissues or nerves that were removed during the treatment for these cancers.

Facilities Available for Surgical Therapy in the Department:

1. C-Arm Facility

Specialist