Surgical Oncology at Mayo Clinic

Short Description

Surgical Oncology is a specialized area of cancer care that uses surgical procedures to diagnose, remove, stage or manage cancer. Mayo Clinic's multidisciplinary cancer teams evaluate each patient's cancer type, stage, tumor location and overall health to develop an individualized surgical treatment plan.

Price:  Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of surgical oncology varies according to the type and stage of cancer, complexity of surgery, surgical technique, hospital stay, diagnostic testing, anesthesia, specialist consultations and post-operative care. A personalized treatment estimate is therefore required.

Complete Description

Surgical Oncology at Mayo Clinic

Surgical Oncology at Mayo Clinic – Rochester focuses on the use of surgery in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Cancer surgery may be performed to remove a tumor, determine the extent of cancer, obtain tissue for diagnosis, relieve symptoms or manage cancer that has spread.

Depending on the patient's condition, surgery may be used as the primary cancer treatment or combined with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or other treatments.

What Is Surgical Oncology?

Surgical oncology is a specialized field of medicine focused on the surgical management of cancer.

Surgical oncologists may perform procedures to:

• Remove cancerous tumors

• Obtain tissue for diagnosis

• Determine cancer stage

• Remove nearby affected tissues

• Treat selected metastatic cancers

• Relieve cancer-related symptoms

• Reconstruct affected areas when appropriate

The recommended procedure depends on the patient's individual cancer diagnosis.

Cancer Diagnosis Through Surgery

Surgery can sometimes play an important role in confirming a cancer diagnosis.

Procedures may include:

• Biopsy

• Excisional biopsy

• Incisional biopsy

• Lymph-node biopsy

• Image-guided surgical procedures

• Other tissue-sampling procedures

The collected tissue is examined by specialists to determine the nature and characteristics of the cancer.

Tumor Removal Surgery

One of the primary purposes of cancer surgery is to remove a tumor.

Depending on the cancer, surgery may involve removing:

• The primary tumor

• Surrounding tissue

• Nearby lymph nodes

• A portion of an affected organ

• An entire affected organ when necessary

The extent of surgery depends on the location and characteristics of the cancer.

Cancer Staging Surgery

Some surgical procedures help determine how far cancer has spread.

Staging procedures may involve evaluation or removal of:

• Lymph nodes

• Nearby tissues

• Tumor tissue

• Other areas suspected of cancer involvement

Accurate staging can help doctors determine the most appropriate treatment strategy.

Types of Cancer Surgery

Cancer surgery can take different forms depending on the patient's diagnosis.

These may include:

• Open surgery

• Minimally invasive surgery

• Laparoscopic surgery

• Robotic-assisted surgery

• Endoscopic procedures

• Organ-preserving surgery

• Complex reconstructive procedures

The appropriate surgical approach depends on the cancer and individual circumstances.

Minimally Invasive Cancer Surgery

For selected cancers, minimally invasive techniques may be appropriate.

These techniques can include:

• Laparoscopic surgery

• Robotic-assisted surgery

• Endoscopic procedures

Compared with some traditional open procedures, minimally invasive approaches may involve smaller incisions and potentially shorter recovery times in appropriately selected patients.

Robotic-Assisted Cancer Surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery may be used for selected cancer procedures.

The technology allows surgeons to control specialized instruments through a robotic surgical system.

Potential advantages may include:

• Precise instrument movement

• Enhanced visualization

• Small surgical incisions in selected procedures

• Improved access to difficult anatomical areas

Whether robotic surgery is appropriate depends on the cancer and procedure.

Surgical Oncology for Breast Cancer

Surgery plays an important role in treating many breast cancers.

Depending on the diagnosis, procedures may include:

• Lumpectomy

• Mastectomy

• Lymph-node surgery

• Sentinel lymph-node biopsy

• Other specialized procedures

The surgical approach depends on tumor characteristics, cancer stage and the patient's treatment plan.

Surgical Oncology for Colorectal Cancer

Surgery may be used to treat selected cancers of the colon and rectum.

Procedures may include removal of the affected portion of the bowel and nearby lymph nodes.

The exact operation depends on:

• Tumor location

• Cancer stage

• Tumor size

• Previous treatment

• Overall health

Surgical Oncology for Liver Cancer

Selected patients with liver tumors may be considered for surgical treatment.

Procedures can include:

• Partial liver resection

• Other specialized liver procedures

Surgical eligibility depends on tumor characteristics, liver function and whether the cancer has spread.

Surgical Oncology for Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer surgery can be highly complex.

For selected patients, surgical procedures may include:

• Pancreatic resection

• Whipple procedure

• Distal pancreatectomy

• Other specialized procedures

The appropriate operation depends on the location and extent of the tumor.

Surgical Oncology for Lung Cancer

Surgery may be considered for selected patients with localized lung cancer.

Possible procedures include:

• Wedge resection

• Segmentectomy

• Lobectomy

• Pneumonectomy

• Lymph-node evaluation

The choice depends on tumor size, location, cancer stage and overall lung function.

Surgical Oncology for Gastrointestinal Cancers

Surgical oncology may be involved in treating selected cancers of the gastrointestinal system, including:

• Esophageal cancer

• Stomach cancer

• Small-intestinal cancer

• Colorectal cancer

• Liver cancer

• Pancreatic cancer

• Other gastrointestinal tumors

Treatment may involve tumor removal, lymph-node evaluation and reconstructive procedures when required.

Surgical Oncology for Gynecologic Cancers

Surgery can be an important component of treatment for selected gynecologic cancers.

Procedures may be considered for cancers involving:

• Ovaries

• Uterus

• Cervix

• Other reproductive organs

The surgical approach depends on cancer type, stage and individual treatment goals.

Surgical Oncology for Urologic Cancers

Surgical treatment may be used for selected cancers involving the urinary and reproductive systems.

These may include:

• Kidney cancer

• Bladder cancer

• Prostate cancer

• Testicular cancer

• Other urologic cancers

The procedure depends on the location, stage and characteristics of the cancer.

Surgical Oncology for Head and Neck Cancers

Surgical oncology may be involved in treating selected cancers of the:

• Mouth

• Throat

• Larynx

• Salivary glands

• Other head and neck structures

Surgery may be combined with radiation therapy, chemotherapy or other treatments depending on the cancer.

Surgical Oncology for Skin Cancer and Melanoma

Surgery is commonly used for selected skin cancers and melanomas.

Procedures may include:

• Wide local excision

• Lymph-node evaluation

• Sentinel lymph-node biopsy

• More complex tumor removal when required

The extent of surgery depends on tumor characteristics and cancer stage.

Lymph Node Surgery

Cancer can sometimes spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Surgical procedures may be used to:

• Remove suspicious lymph nodes

• Determine whether cancer has spread

• Help stage the cancer

• Guide further treatment

Examples include sentinel lymph-node biopsy and lymph-node dissection.

Organ-Preserving Cancer Surgery

In selected cases, surgeons may use techniques designed to preserve as much normal organ function as possible.

Depending on the cancer, organ-preserving approaches may be considered for:

• Breast cancer

• Kidney cancer

• Liver cancer

• Other selected tumors

The feasibility of organ preservation depends on the tumor and cancer stage.

Cancer Surgery Before Other Treatments

Surgery may sometimes be performed before additional cancer treatment.

This may be followed by:

• Chemotherapy

• Radiation therapy

• Immunotherapy

• Targeted therapy

• Other systemic treatments

The sequence depends on the cancer and individual treatment plan.

Cancer Surgery After Other Treatments

In some cancers, patients receive systemic therapy or radiation before surgery.

This approach may help:

• Reduce tumor size

• Treat cancer cells outside the primary tumor

• Make surgery more feasible

• Evaluate response to treatment

This treatment sequence is determined by the multidisciplinary cancer team.

Complex Cancer Surgery

Some cancers require highly specialized or complex surgical procedures.

Complex surgery may be considered when tumors:

• Are located near major blood vessels

• Involve multiple organs

• Have returned after previous treatment

• Require reconstruction

• Are located in anatomically difficult areas

These procedures require detailed preoperative planning.

Pre-Surgical Evaluation

Before surgery, the medical team may perform:

• Physical examination

• Blood tests

• Imaging studies

• Pathology review

• Cardiac evaluation when required

• Anesthesia assessment

• Lung-function testing when appropriate

• Review of medications

• Assessment of overall health

This evaluation helps determine whether the patient is medically prepared for surgery.

Advanced Imaging and Surgical Planning

Imaging may be used to understand the exact location and extent of a tumor.

Depending on the cancer, evaluation may include:

• CT scan

• MRI

• PET scan

• Ultrasound

• Other specialized imaging

The information can help surgeons plan the safest and most effective surgical approach.

Post-Surgical Recovery

Recovery depends on the type and complexity of the operation.

Post-operative care may include:

• Pain management

• Wound care

• Nutrition

• Physical activity guidance

• Infection monitoring

• Blood-test monitoring

• Follow-up imaging

• Pathology review

The recovery period varies from patient to patient.

Potential Risks of Cancer Surgery

Like other major surgical procedures, cancer surgery can involve risks.

Potential complications may include:

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Blood clots

• Anesthesia-related complications

• Pain

• Wound complications

• Organ-specific complications

• Delayed recovery

• Other procedure-specific risks

The risks depend on the type of surgery and the patient's health.

Multidisciplinary Cancer Care

Surgical oncology is often integrated with other cancer specialties.

The care team may include:

• Surgical oncologists

• Medical oncologists

• Radiation oncologists

• Pathologists

• Radiologists

• Anesthesiologists

• Oncology nurses

• Genetic specialists

• Rehabilitation specialists

• Other healthcare professionals

This multidisciplinary approach helps coordinate diagnosis, surgery and additional cancer treatments.

International Patients

International patients considering cancer surgery may need to provide comprehensive medical records before traveling for treatment.

Useful documents may include:

• Pathology reports

• Biopsy results

• CT scans

• MRI scans

• PET scans

• Previous surgical reports

• Chemotherapy records

• Radiation records

• Molecular testing

• Current medication list

These records help specialists understand the diagnosis and determine appropriate treatment options.

Benefits of Surgical Oncology

When clinically appropriate, cancer surgery may:

• Remove localized cancer

• Provide tissue for definitive diagnosis

• Help determine cancer stage

• Reduce tumor burden

• Treat selected metastatic disease

• Relieve symptoms caused by tumors

• Support long-term cancer control

• Work together with chemotherapy, radiation or immunotherapy

The potential benefit depends on the individual cancer and treatment plan.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic for Surgical Oncology?

Mayo Clinic provides multidisciplinary cancer care involving surgical oncologists and specialists from medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, radiology and other fields.

Patients with complex cancers may receive coordinated evaluation and individualized surgical planning based on their diagnosis, cancer stage, tumor characteristics and overall health.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

There is no single fixed price for surgical oncology because cancer operations vary significantly in complexity.

The total cost may depend on:

• Surgical consultation

• Preoperative evaluation

• Diagnostic imaging

• Laboratory testing

• Type of surgery

• Surgical complexity

• Anesthesia

• Operating-room services

• Hospital stay

• Medications

• Pathology

• Post-operative care

• Follow-up consultations

• Additional cancer treatments

A personalized treatment estimate should therefore be requested after specialist evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does surgical oncology mean?

Surgical oncology is a specialized field of cancer care that uses surgery to diagnose, stage, remove or manage selected cancers.

2. Does every cancer require surgery?

No. Surgery is appropriate for some cancers, while others may be treated primarily with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or combinations of treatments.

3. Can minimally invasive surgery be used for cancer?

Yes. Selected cancer procedures can be performed using laparoscopic or robotic-assisted techniques, depending on the cancer and patient's individual circumstances.

4. Can surgery be combined with chemotherapy or radiation?

Yes. Cancer treatment may combine surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy depending on the diagnosis and treatment plan.

5. How much does cancer surgery cost?

Price is available on request. The cost depends on the type and complexity of surgery, hospital stay, anesthesia, diagnostic testing, pathology and other required medical services.

Product Details

Product Name: Surgical Oncology

Hospital: Mayo Clinic – Rochester

Brand: Mayo Clinic

Country: United States

Specialty: Oncology & Cancer Care

Service Type: Surgical Oncology

Dashboard Price: 0

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Rochester, Minnesota, USA