Surgical Oncology at Toronto General Hospital

Surgical Oncology provides specialized surgical evaluation and treatment for selected cancers and complex tumors. Care may involve assessment of the tumor, evaluation of disease extent, surgical planning and coordination with other cancer specialists to determine the most appropriate treatment approach for the individual patient.

Price: Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of surgical oncology varies according to the type and location of cancer, complexity of the procedure, diagnostic investigations, surgical requirements, hospital care, anesthesia, specialist consultations and postoperative monitoring. A personalized cost estimate is provided after clinical assessment.

Complete Description

What Is Surgical Oncology?

Surgical Oncology is a specialized area of cancer care focused on the surgical management of selected tumors and cancers.

Surgical oncology may involve:

• Evaluation of cancer for possible surgery

• Assessment of tumor location and extent

• Surgical treatment planning

• Removal of tumors

• Assessment of surrounding tissues

• Lymph-node evaluation when appropriate

• Complex cancer surgery

• Postoperative cancer care

• Coordination with other oncology specialists

The appropriate surgical approach depends on the patient's diagnosis, cancer stage, overall health and treatment goals.

Who May Need Surgical Oncology?

Surgical oncology evaluation may be considered for patients with:

• Newly diagnosed solid tumors

• Localized cancers

• Tumors requiring surgical removal

• Complex or difficult-to-treat tumors

• Cancer that has returned

• Tumors requiring specialized surgical assessment

• Cancer requiring surgery as part of a broader treatment plan

Not every cancer requires surgery. The decision is based on specialist evaluation.

Surgical Cancer Assessment

Before surgery is considered, the surgical oncology team may review:

• Cancer diagnosis

• Pathology reports

• Imaging results

• Tumor location

• Tumor size

• Disease stage

• Previous treatments

• Previous surgeries

• Overall health

• Other medical conditions

This assessment helps determine whether surgery may be appropriate.

Cancer Surgical Planning

A personalized surgical plan may be developed after reviewing the patient's diagnostic information.

Planning may consider:

• Type of cancer

• Tumor location

• Disease extent

• Surgical accessibility

• Potential surgical risks

• Previous treatment

• Expected treatment goals

• Recovery requirements

Additional investigations may be required before surgery.

Tumor Removal Surgery

Surgical oncology may involve removal of a cancerous tumor when surgery is considered appropriate.

The surgical approach depends on:

• Cancer type

• Tumor size

• Tumor location

• Surrounding structures

• Disease stage

• Previous treatment

• Patient's overall health

The objective may be complete tumor removal while considering preservation of important surrounding structures when possible.

Lymph Node Assessment

For selected cancers, nearby lymph nodes may need to be evaluated during surgery.

Lymph-node assessment may help:

• Determine whether cancer has spread

• Support cancer staging

• Guide further treatment decisions

• Provide additional pathological information

The need for lymph-node evaluation varies by cancer type.

Complex Surgical Oncology

Some tumors require highly specialized surgical planning because of their location, size, disease extent or relationship to important organs and structures.

Complex surgical oncology may involve:

• Detailed preoperative evaluation

• Advanced imaging review

• Multidisciplinary planning

• Specialized surgical techniques

• Careful postoperative monitoring

The specific approach depends on the patient's diagnosis.

Multidisciplinary Cancer Care

Surgical oncology is often coordinated with other areas of cancer care.

Depending on the patient's condition, treatment planning may involve:

• Surgical oncologists

• Medical oncologists

• Radiation specialists

• Pathologists

• Radiologists

• Anesthesiology professionals

• Nurses

• Other healthcare specialists

Collaborative care can help determine the most appropriate sequence of treatment.

Surgery as Part of Cancer Treatment

Surgery may be used at different stages of cancer care.

Depending on the diagnosis, surgery may be considered for:

• Initial treatment

• Local disease control

• Removal of a primary tumor

• Treatment of selected recurrent disease

• Treatment of selected metastatic disease

• Symptom relief in specific circumstances

• Diagnostic purposes

The role of surgery varies according to cancer type and individual clinical circumstances.

Preoperative Evaluation

Patients undergoing potential cancer surgery may require assessment before the procedure.

Preoperative evaluation may include:

• Medical history

• Physical assessment

• Blood tests

• Imaging review

• Medication review

• Cardiovascular or other medical assessment when required

• Anesthesia assessment when appropriate

The exact requirements depend on the planned procedure and the patient's health.

Postoperative Cancer Care

After surgery, patients may require continued medical monitoring and recovery support.

Postoperative care may include:

• Monitoring recovery

• Wound assessment

• Pain management

• Laboratory testing when required

• Monitoring for complications

• Pathology review

• Follow-up appointments

• Further cancer treatment planning

Additional treatment may be recommended depending on the final pathology and clinical findings.

Pathology After Cancer Surgery

Tissue removed during surgery may be examined by pathology specialists.

Pathology assessment may help determine:

• Tumor characteristics

• Cancer type

• Tumor margins

• Lymph-node involvement

• Other features relevant to staging

• Information that may influence further treatment

Final pathology findings may contribute to decisions regarding subsequent cancer care.

Cancer Recurrence and Surgical Assessment

Patients with recurrent cancer may require specialized surgical evaluation.

Assessment may consider:

• Location of recurrence

• Previous cancer treatment

• Previous surgery

• Current imaging

• Disease extent

• Overall health

• Potential benefits and risks of further surgery

Surgery is considered only when clinically appropriate.

Surgical Oncology Second Opinion

Patients may seek a surgical oncology second opinion regarding:

• Whether surgery is appropriate

• Proposed surgical procedure

• Surgical alternatives

• Tumor operability

• Risks and potential benefits

• Additional treatment options

• Management of recurrent disease

Relevant pathology, imaging and medical records can be reviewed as part of the assessment.

International Patient Surgical Oncology

International patients seeking surgical oncology assessment should provide relevant medical documentation, including:

• Pathology reports

• Biopsy results

• Imaging reports

• Imaging files when available

• Laboratory results

• Previous treatment records

• Surgical reports

• Medication list

• Other relevant specialist reports

Complete records can help the surgical team evaluate the patient's condition and determine appropriate next steps.

Benefits of Specialized Surgical Oncology

Specialized surgical oncology may help patients:

• Receive expert surgical assessment

• Determine whether surgery may be appropriate

• Develop an individualized surgical plan

• Evaluate complex tumors

• Review previous cancer treatment

• Coordinate surgical and non-surgical cancer care

• Assess recurrent disease

• Support postoperative cancer management

Why Choose Toronto General Hospital for Surgical Oncology?

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

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

The specific surgical oncology service available depends on the patient's cancer type and clinical needs.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost of surgical oncology depends on the patient's diagnosis and required treatment.

Potential costs may include:

• Surgical consultation

• Preoperative assessment

• Diagnostic testing

• Imaging

• Pathology

• Surgery

• Anesthesia

• Hospital care

• Postoperative monitoring

• Follow-up consultations

A personalized cost estimate can be requested after specialist assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What cancers can be treated with surgical oncology?

Surgical oncology may be used for selected solid tumors and cancers where surgery is considered an appropriate treatment. The suitability of surgery depends on the cancer type, stage, location and patient's overall health.

2. Is surgery always required for cancer?

No. Some cancers can be treated with other approaches, while some require a combination of treatments. A specialist determines whether surgery is appropriate.

3. What should I bring for a surgical oncology consultation?

Patients should provide pathology reports, biopsy results, imaging, laboratory results, previous treatment records, surgical reports and current medication information whenever available.

4. Can I get a second opinion about cancer surgery?

Yes. A surgical oncology assessment may provide an additional specialist opinion regarding the suitability, approach and potential alternatives to cancer surgery.

5. Can international patients request surgical oncology assessment?

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

Product Details

Product Name: Surgical Oncology

Hospital: Toronto General Hospital

Brand: Toronto General Hospital

Country: Canada

Specialty: Oncology & Cancer Care

Service Type: Surgical Oncology

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Subject to applicable eligibility and program requirements

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada