Cancer Surgery at Toronto General Hospital

Cancer Surgery provides specialized surgical treatment for selected cancers and tumors when removal of cancerous tissue is considered an appropriate part of the patient's treatment plan. Cancer surgery may involve tumor removal, lymph-node assessment and other procedures based on the type, location and stage of cancer.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of cancer surgery varies according to the type and stage of cancer, surgical procedure, tumor location, complexity of surgery, preoperative investigations, anesthesia, hospital stay, pathology and postoperative care. A personalized cost estimate can be provided following specialist assessment.

Complete Description

What Is Cancer Surgery?

Cancer Surgery is a treatment approach used to remove cancerous tissue or tumors when surgery is medically appropriate.

Depending on the patient's condition, cancer surgery may be performed to:

• Remove a primary tumor

• Remove surrounding affected tissue

• Assess or remove lymph nodes

• Control localized cancer

• Treat selected recurrent cancers

• Treat selected metastatic disease

• Relieve cancer-related symptoms

• Obtain tissue for pathological assessment

The appropriate surgical approach depends on the cancer type, location, stage and overall health of the patient.

Who May Need Cancer Surgery?

Cancer surgery may be considered for patients with selected:

• Solid tumors

• Localized cancers

• Surgically accessible tumors

• Recurrent cancers

• Complex tumors

• Tumors causing significant symptoms

Not every cancer can or should be treated surgically. The decision is made following specialist evaluation.

Cancer Surgical Evaluation

Before surgery, specialists may review:

• Cancer diagnosis

• Pathology reports

• Biopsy results

• Diagnostic imaging

• Cancer stage

• Tumor size and location

• Previous treatments

• Previous surgeries

• Current medications

• Overall health

This information helps determine whether surgery is appropriate and which surgical approach may be considered.

Preoperative Cancer Assessment

A preoperative assessment may be required before cancer surgery.

Depending on the planned procedure, assessment may include:

• Medical history

• Physical examination

• Blood tests

• Imaging review

• Medication assessment

• Cardiovascular evaluation when required

• Anesthesia assessment

• Other investigations based on individual needs

The specific preoperative requirements depend on the patient's health and planned surgery.

Tumor Removal

The primary goal of many cancer operations is removal of the tumor.

The surgical approach may depend on:

• Tumor location

• Tumor size

• Cancer type

• Disease extent

• Nearby organs and structures

• Previous treatment

• Patient's overall health

The surgical team determines the appropriate procedure after comprehensive assessment.

Lymph Node Surgery

For selected cancers, lymph nodes may be evaluated or removed during surgery.

Lymph-node surgery may help:

• Determine whether cancer has spread

• Establish or confirm cancer stage

• Provide pathological information

• Support decisions about further treatment

The need for lymph-node assessment depends on the specific cancer.

Complex Cancer Surgery

Some cancers require complex surgical procedures because tumors may involve important organs, blood vessels or surrounding structures.

Complex cancer surgery may require:

• Detailed imaging review

• Specialized surgical planning

• Multidisciplinary assessment

• Advanced operative techniques

• Careful postoperative monitoring

The specific procedure depends on the patient's diagnosis and surgical requirements.

Minimally Invasive Cancer Surgery

For selected cancers and appropriate patients, minimally invasive surgical approaches may be considered.

Depending on the procedure, these approaches may involve smaller surgical incisions and specialized surgical instruments.

Whether minimally invasive surgery is appropriate depends on:

• Cancer type

• Tumor location

• Tumor size

• Disease extent

• Previous procedures

• Patient's overall health

The surgical team determines the most appropriate approach.

Open Cancer Surgery

Some cancers require traditional open surgery because of the size, location or complexity of the tumor.

Open surgery may provide access to areas that require extensive surgical treatment.

The choice between open and minimally invasive approaches depends on the patient's individual clinical circumstances.

Multidisciplinary Cancer Treatment

Cancer surgery may be part of a broader treatment plan involving several medical specialties.

Depending on the cancer, care may involve:

• Surgical specialists

• Medical oncologists

• Radiation specialists

• Pathologists

• Radiologists

• Anesthesiology professionals

• Nurses

• Other healthcare professionals

The treatment sequence may include surgery before or after other cancer therapies when clinically appropriate.

Cancer Surgery After Neoadjuvant Treatment

Some patients may receive cancer treatment before surgery to reduce or control disease before an operation.

Depending on the cancer type, preoperative treatment may include:

• Chemotherapy

• Radiation therapy

• Systemic cancer treatment

• Other specialized therapies

The need for treatment before surgery depends on the diagnosis and treatment plan.

Pathology After Cancer Surgery

Tissue removed during cancer surgery is generally examined by pathology specialists when clinically indicated.

Pathology may provide information about:

• Cancer type

• Tumor characteristics

• Tumor margins

• Lymph-node involvement

• Disease extent

• Other features relevant to treatment planning

Final pathology findings may help determine whether additional treatment is recommended.

Postoperative Cancer Care

Following cancer surgery, patients may require monitoring and recovery support.

Postoperative care may include:

• Recovery monitoring

• Pain management

• Wound care

• Laboratory testing

• Monitoring for complications

• Pathology review

• Follow-up consultations

• Additional treatment planning

The recovery period depends on the type and complexity of the procedure.

Cancer Surgery for Recurrent Disease

Selected patients with recurrent cancer may be evaluated for further surgery.

Assessment may consider:

• Location of recurrence

• Previous cancer surgery

• Previous treatments

• Current imaging

• Disease extent

• Overall health

• Potential benefits and risks

Surgery is considered only when clinically appropriate.

Cancer Surgery Second Opinion

Patients may seek a cancer surgery second opinion regarding:

• Whether surgery is necessary

• Surgical approach

• Tumor operability

• Potential surgical risks

• Alternative treatment options

• Complex surgical procedures

• Management of recurrent disease

Relevant pathology, imaging and medical records can be reviewed during specialist assessment.

International Patient Cancer Surgery

International patients seeking cancer surgery should provide relevant medical records whenever available.

Recommended documents may include:

• Biopsy reports

• Pathology reports

• Imaging reports

• Imaging files

• Laboratory results

• Previous treatment records

• Surgical reports

• Medication list

• Specialist reports

Complete medical information helps the surgical team assess the patient's condition and determine appropriate next steps.

Benefits of Specialized Cancer Surgery

Cancer surgery may help selected patients:

• Remove cancerous tissue

• Control localized disease

• Obtain definitive pathological information

• Assess lymph-node involvement

• Address selected recurrent cancers

• Relieve certain cancer-related symptoms

• Support an individualized cancer treatment plan

The potential benefits and risks vary according to the patient's diagnosis and procedure.

Why Choose Toronto General Hospital for Cancer Surgery?

Toronto General Hospital (TGH) is part of University Health Network (UHN) and provides specialized surgical and complex medical care.

Patients requiring cancer-related surgery may be assessed according to their diagnosis, surgical requirements and the relevant TGH clinical program.

The availability and suitability of a specific cancer surgery depend on the patient's cancer type, clinical condition and specialist assessment.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost of cancer surgery depends on the individual treatment plan and surgical requirements.

Potential costs may include:

• Surgical consultation

• Preoperative investigations

• Imaging

• Laboratory testing

• Surgical procedure

• Anesthesia

• Hospital care

• Pathology

• Postoperative monitoring

• Follow-up consultations

• Additional treatment when required

A personalized cost estimate can be requested after specialist evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is cancer surgery suitable for every cancer patient?

No. Surgery is appropriate only for selected cancers and patients. The decision depends on cancer type, stage, location, disease extent and overall health.

2. What information is needed before cancer surgery?

Specialists may require pathology reports, biopsy results, imaging, laboratory results, previous treatment records, surgical history and medication information.

3. Will cancer surgery remove all cancer?

The outcome depends on the type and stage of cancer and whether complete removal is possible. The surgical team discusses the expected goals and limitations of surgery during assessment.

4. Can cancer surgery be combined with other treatments?

Yes. Depending on the cancer, surgery may be combined with other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy or other systemic cancer treatments.

5. Can international patients request cancer surgery?

International patients may request assessment subject to applicable hospital processes, medical requirements, eligibility and program availability.

Product Details

Product Name: Cancer Surgery

Hospital: Toronto General Hospital

Brand: Toronto General Hospital

Country: Canada

Specialty: Oncology & Cancer Care

Service Type: Cancer Surgery

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Subject to applicable eligibility and program requirements

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada