What is Oncologic Surgery (Cancer Surgery)?
Cancer is defined as uncontrollable, abnormal cell division. These abnormal cells come together to form a tumor. Not every tumor is cancer. They are divided into benign and malignant. Both types can occur in any part of the body. However, only malignant tumors metastasize (spread) to other parts and are called cancer. There is still no definitive cure for cancer today. However, with the reflection of developing technology in the field of health, studies to develop and improve treatment options continue. Today, there are more than one option for cancer treatment. These are:
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Bone marrow transplantation
- Targeted therapy and
- Oncologic surgery
Oncologic surgery is one of the first-line treatment options used in cancer treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which are widely preferred, emerged in the last century. Surgery, on the other hand, dates back much earlier. Oncologic surgery can be used for all types of cancer. It is the removal of the tumor from the body through surgical methods and techniques. Surgical treatment can be applied at any stage of cancer. However, as the tumor grows and spreads, surgery may become more difficult or treatments to shrink the tumor may be applied first. You may be eligible for oncologic surgery in the following cases:
- To prevent cancer if you are at risk of developing cancer in a certain part of the body
- To remove the area that is likely to develop into cancer, both before and after cancer
Surgery can be difficult in advanced and complex types of cancer. For this reason, it is useful to make sure that the health institution you choose consists of experienced health professionals. During the examination, you can ask your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of treatment methods and share your concerns. Your doctor will create a treatment plan for you, taking into account the size of the tumor, its type, your general health, and your genetic predisposition. At this time, your suitability for surgery is also evaluated. Along with your doctor, you may need to work with several healthcare professionals during the treatment process.
For What Purpose Is Oncologic Surgery (Cancer Surgery) Performed?
- Surgical oncology is a type of cancer treatment. Its main purpose is to remove cancerous tissue in the body by surgical methods. However, it can also be applied for other reasons. The aims of oncologic surgery are as follows:
- Preventing cancer: If there is a risk of developing disease in any part of the body, an oncologist wants to prevent it before it occurs. Oncologic surgery can be applied for this. For example, it may be preferred if there is a strong family history of breast cancer or mutations in genes associated with breast cancer. The breast that is likely to develop into cancer can be removed by surgery.
- To make a diagnosis: It is not possible to know that the mass seen in the body with any imaging method is cancer tissue. In order to know whether the tumor is benign or malignant, a piece is taken from the tumor. The taken piece is examined in a laboratory environment to determine whether it has cancer cells or not. This procedure is also called a biopsy.
- To understand the extent of cancer: After a cancer diagnosis, one may immediately think about the stage of the cancer or how serious it is. To understand this, the size of the tumor, whether it has metastasized to lymph nodes or other areas, and if so, how far it has spread.
In Which Diseases Is Oncologic Surgery (Cancer Surgery) Performed?
Oncologic surgery may not work for all types of cancer. But for many it is an effective treatment option.
General Surgery
It covers diseases affecting the head and neck, digestive system, breast, skin, soft tissue, endocrine and vascular systems, in short, all parts of the body. A general surgeon’s job includes diagnosing, staging and detecting the spread of cancer. They can also undertake preventive surgery when necessary.
Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic surgery covers any surgery in the chest area. The heart, lungs, esophagus, trachea (windpipe), diaphragm, cancerous tissue in the chest wall (the area covering the sternum and surrounding muscles) fall under the scope of thoracic surgery. Many thoracic surgeries are serious because it is a region where many vital organs are located. In thoracic surgery, both open and closed surgery types can be performed.
Gynecologic Oncology
Gynecologic oncology involves the structures and organs of the female pelvic region. These include the uterus, ovaries, cervix, fallopian tubes, vagina and vulva. Every woman is at risk of gynecologic cancer and the risk increases with age. Early detection can improve the effectiveness of treatment.
ENT Oncology
ENT oncology, which stands for ear, throat and nose, is also known as head and neck cancers. It covers cancerous tissue that occurs in any part of the neck and head except the brain and eyes. Cancer can occur in the sinuses, inside or behind the nose, mouth, larynx or salivary glands.
Neuro-oncology
Tumors in the brain and nerves, nervous system metastases, tumors in the spinal cord fall into this category. Similar to other types of cancer, a multidisciplinary treatment plan is applied. Thanks to the new methods and devices that have emerged with the developing technology, neurooncology has made small but definite improvements in the risk of survival.
Oncologic Head and Neck Surgery
Cancers originating in the head and neck region. They can include benign and malignant tumors of the salivary glands, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, thyroid and parathyroid glands. Although it is not known exactly why these cancers occur, smoking is a major contributor to cancers in this region.
Orthopedic Oncology
Sarcomas are tumors that form in bone or soft tissue, or cancerous cells that start in another area and metastasize to bone.
Digestive System Surgery
It covers cancer types found in structures and organs in the digestive system and abdominal cavity, such as the pancreas, duodenum, liver, gall bladder, colon and rectum.
Urological Oncology
It covers both male and female urinary tracts and male reproductive organs, such as the kidneys, bladder, prostate, penis and testicles.
In Which Situations Can Oncologic Surgery Not Be Performed?
Oncologic surgery may not be performed in every patient or for every type of cancer. Every procedure involves some risks and side effects. Some side effects may have a higher risk of occurrence in a specific group. For these reasons, cancer treatment is planned individually. Your doctor will decide whether or when oncologic surgery is necessary during your treatment. When planning your treatment, your doctor may consider the following:
- Type of cancer
- Size of cancerous tissue
- Whether the cancer has metastasized
- In which part of the body the cancerous tissue is located
- Your general health
Our Technologies in Oncologic Surgery
There are two main methods used in oncologic surgery. One of them is open surgery and the other is minimally invasive surgery. The remaining methods are sub-branches of these two main methods. Open surgery is traditional surgery. It is applied by completely opening the area where the procedure will be performed with a large incision. However, the disadvantages of this method, such as the long recovery period and the high risk of complications, have led to the necessity of a new method. Minimally invasive treatment is the result of these disadvantages. It is also known as closed surgery. Minimally invasive surgery techniques are as follows:
Laparoscopy: It starts with the surgeon making several incisions on the area to be treated. Then a thin tube (laparoscope) with a camera attached to the end is inserted into one of the incisions to reach the tumor site. In the other incision sites, different surgical instruments are inserted to help remove the tumor cells. It is one of the most preferred minimally invasive surgery options.
Laser Treatment: Involves using a high-intensity beam to remove the tumor.
Cryosurgery: It is a treatment where the cancerous tissue is killed by freezing it. Liquid nitrogen is used for this.
Robotic Surgery: It is very similar to laparoscopic surgery. Unlike laparoscopy, instead of manual surgical instruments, surgical arms controlled by a computer are used.
Hisar Hospital is a hospital providing services at JCI standards. As in all units, it utilizes approved technologies in oncologic surgery. Thanks to its patient and environmentally friendly anesthesia device, low-flow anesthesia can be applied to patients before surgical procedures. The surgical microscope device used in sensitive brain and neurosurgery operations protects the patient from the risk of paralysis. Digestive system cancers can be detected at an early stage with the high-resolution endoscopy system that offers HD quality images.