About Surgical Oncologist

A surgical oncologist is a surgeon who specializes in the surgical treatment of cancer. Their primary role is to diagnose, stage, and remove cancerous tumors from the body. However, their involvement in cancer care extends beyond just the physical removal of the tumor.

Here's a breakdown of what a surgical oncologist does:

 * Diagnosis: They perform biopsies and other surgical procedures to determine if a growth is cancerous.

 * Staging: Through surgery, they can assess the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as lymph nodes or other organs.

 * Treatment: The main goal is to surgically remove the tumor and any nearby tissue containing cancer cells. They may also remove lymph nodes in the area to prevent further spread.

 * Prevention: In some cases, they may perform preventative surgeries to remove tissue or organs at high risk of developing cancer.

 * Palliative Care: When the entire tumor cannot be removed, they may perform surgery to relieve symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life.

 * Supportive Care: They may perform procedures to support other cancer treatments, such as placing ports for chemotherapy.

 * Reconstruction: After cancer surgery, they may perform reconstructive surgery to restore the appearance and function of the affected body parts.

Surgical oncologists work closely with a multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists, including medical oncologists (who administer chemotherapy), radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and oncology nurses, to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for each patient.

They are experts in the surgical management of various types of cancer, including those affecting the breast, skin (melanoma), gastrointestinal tract, head and neck, endocrine glands, and soft tissues. Many surgical oncologists also develop sub-specialty expertise in specific types of cancer or surgical techniques.