Surgical Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital

Surgical Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital provides specialized surgical treatment for patients with localized, complex or advanced solid tumors. Surgical oncologists work with multidisciplinary cancer teams to determine whether tumor removal or other cancer surgery may be appropriate.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost depends on the type, location and complexity of the cancer, surgical procedure, diagnostic testing, anesthesia, hospitalization and follow-up care required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Is Surgical Oncology?

Surgical Oncology is a specialized area of cancer care focused on the surgical diagnosis, treatment and management of tumors.

Cancer surgery may be used to:

• Remove a tumor

• Obtain tissue for diagnosis

• Determine disease extent

• Treat localized cancer

• Manage selected metastatic disease

• Relieve cancer-related symptoms

Who May Need Surgical Oncology?

Patients may be referred for surgical oncology when they have:

• A localized solid tumor

• A surgically treatable cancer

• A complex tumor

• Recurrent cancer

• Selected metastatic disease

• A tumor requiring specialized surgical evaluation

Surgical Oncology Consultation

The surgical oncologist may review:

• Cancer diagnosis

• Pathology

• Imaging

• Tumor location

• Cancer stage

• Previous treatments

• Overall health

The team then determines whether surgery may be appropriate.

Cancer Surgery Planning

Surgical planning may consider:

• Tumor size

• Tumor location

• Nearby organs

• Lymph-node involvement

• Disease stage

• Previous surgery

• Other medical conditions

Tumor Removal Surgery

When appropriate, surgery may remove the primary tumor along with surrounding tissue needed to achieve adequate cancer control.

The specific operation depends on the cancer type and location.

Lymph Node Surgery

For selected cancers, surgeons may evaluate or remove nearby lymph nodes.

This can help:

• Determine cancer stage

• Assess disease spread

• Guide further treatment

Complex Cancer Surgery

Some tumors require highly specialized procedures because they are located near important organs, blood vessels or other critical structures.

These cases may require multidisciplinary planning.

Minimally Invasive Cancer Surgery

Selected cancer operations may be performed using minimally invasive techniques when clinically appropriate.

Potential approaches may include:

• Laparoscopic surgery

• Robotic-assisted surgery

• Other specialized minimally invasive techniques

Suitability depends on the cancer and patient's condition.

Open Cancer Surgery

For some complex or extensive tumors, traditional open surgery may be required to safely remove the cancer.

The surgical approach is selected according to the patient's individual needs.

Multidisciplinary Cancer Surgery

Complex cases may involve collaboration between:

• Surgical oncologists

• Medical oncologists

• Radiation oncologists

• Radiologists

• Pathologists

• Other surgical specialists

Surgery Combined With Other Cancer Treatments

Cancer surgery may be used before or after:

• Chemotherapy

• Radiation therapy

• Immunotherapy

• Targeted therapy

Treatment sequencing depends on the cancer type and stage.

Preoperative Evaluation

Before surgery, patients may undergo:

• Medical assessment

• Blood tests

• Imaging

• Cardiac evaluation when needed

• Anesthesia assessment

• Medication review

Pathology After Surgery

Tissue removed during surgery is examined by pathology specialists.

The pathology report may provide information about:

• Cancer type

• Tumor characteristics

• Surgical margins

• Lymph-node involvement

• Other relevant features

Recovery After Cancer Surgery

Postoperative care may include:

• Pain management

• Wound care

• Nutrition support

• Mobility

• Monitoring for complications

• Follow-up appointments

Potential Benefits of Surgical Oncology

For appropriately selected patients, cancer surgery may:

• Remove localized tumors

• Reduce tumor burden

• Provide definitive tissue diagnosis

• Help determine cancer stage

• Treat selected recurrent cancers

• Support multidisciplinary cancer treatment

Surgical Oncology Risks

Potential complications may include:

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Blood clots

• Anesthesia-related complications

• Organ or tissue injury

• Delayed wound healing

• Need for additional treatment

Risks vary according to the cancer and surgical procedure.

Surgical Oncology Second Opinion

Patients may seek a surgical oncology second opinion before undergoing cancer surgery.

Specialists may review:

• Pathology

• CT/MRI/PET scans

• Biopsy results

• Previous surgery

• Treatment recommendations

• Overall medical history

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant cancer records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• Pathology reports

• Biopsy results

• CT/MRI/PET reports

• Previous surgical reports

• Chemotherapy records

• Radiation records

• Laboratory results

• Medication list

Why Choose Massachusetts General Hospital for Surgical Oncology?

Massachusetts General Hospital provides multidisciplinary cancer surgery through Mass General Cancer Center, with specialized surgical teams working alongside medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology and radiology services.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

Potential costs may include:

• Surgical oncology consultation

• Imaging

• Pathology review

• Preoperative testing

• Cancer surgery

• Anesthesia

• Hospitalization

• Postoperative care

• Follow-up treatment

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's surgical plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does a surgical oncologist do?

A surgical oncologist specializes in surgical treatment of cancer and tumor-related conditions, including tumor removal and selected cancer procedures.

2. Is surgery always needed for cancer?

No. The need for surgery depends on the cancer type, stage, location and overall treatment plan.

3. Can cancer surgery be minimally invasive?

Yes. Selected patients may be candidates for laparoscopic or robotic-assisted cancer surgery, depending on the tumor and procedure.

4. Can I get a surgical oncology second opinion?

Yes. Specialists can review your pathology, imaging, diagnosis and proposed operation before treatment.

5. How much does surgical oncology cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on the procedure, cancer complexity, hospitalization, anesthesia and follow-up care.

Product Details

Product Name: Surgical Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital

Hospital: Massachusetts General Hospital

Brand: Massachusetts General Hospital

Country: United States

Specialty: Oncology & Cancer Care

Service Type: Surgical Oncology

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA