Surgical Oncology

Surgical oncology includes a team of professionals, such as surgical oncologists, physician’s assistants, advanced practice and registered nurses, and supportive team members. While surgery is often the primary treatment method for various endocrine tumors, It’s often used along with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other treatment modalities. Surgical oncology teams may perform ambulatory as well as inpatient procedures. They are involved with preventive measures, detection of pre-malignancies or malignancies, diagnoses, preoperative care, resection, disease staging, postoperative care, restorative procedures, rehabilitation, disease surveillance, emergency care, and palliative treatments. The surgical oncology team often works with patients, family members, and caregivers and develop trust and mutual support.

Their work role includes:

• Diagnosing cancers
• Discussing treatment options with patients
• Arranging and supervising drug treatment and therapies including the management of any complications that may arise
• Supporting patients and overseeing their care, including their lives after treatment

Medical oncologists treat conditions such as:

• Colorectal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Tumours of the kidney (urological cancers)
• Leukaemia
• Melanoma

Common procedures/interventions:

These include:

• Chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy
• Biological therapies such as antibodies, small molecules and immunotherapy

When to see an oncologist:

If a person is diagnosed with cancer, or is suspected to have cancer, a GP may provide a referral to an oncologist. A biopsy (tissue sample) will be taken and examined by a pathologist. If it is found to be cancerous, a series of diagnostic tests and scans may be done to determine the size of the cancer and to find out whether it has spread.

Oncologists work as a team to recommend a course of treatment for individual patients.