When we hear the word cancer, we all get a little scared, don't we? But there are many doctors who can help us and provide us with the treatment we need in this kind of illness. A specialist who treats cancer patients through surgery is the one we are going to talk about today, a ``Surgical Oncologist'' . Let's see what kind of person he is and what he does?
What is a 'Surgical Oncologist'?
Simply put, a ``Surgical Oncologist`` is a surgeon who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer through surgery. Did you know that surgery is the most common and most widely used treatment for cancer? These doctors don't work alone. They work with other specialists in cancer, such as ``Medical Oncologists`` who treat cancer with drugs, and ``Radiation Oncologists`` who provide radiation therapy, to come up with the best treatment plan for you. It's like a team, everyone working together for you.
So, what exactly does a cancer surgeon do?
Okay, now let's see how these specialists can help us, and what their role is. They can:
- A biopsy is a test to determine if an abnormal lump or growth in your body is cancerous. This involves taking a small piece of tissue from the suspicious area and testing it. This is a very important step in confirming the diagnosis.
- Explain to you in simple terms what the results of the biopsy were and what they mean. Sometimes medical reports are difficult to understand, so it is their responsibility to explain them clearly.
- Determine the stage of your cancer. This is very important for planning treatment. Treatment options are determined based on the stage of the cancer.
- Work with other doctors who treat cancer to help you create the best treatment plan .
- What surgeries can you have, and the details of them, I will discuss with you. You have the right to know every detail.
- Explain the benefits and drawbacks of each proposed surgery so you can make an informed decision.
- Give you advice on how to prepare for surgery, including diet and medications you need to stop.
- Talk about what to expect after surgery. For example, pain, recovery time, what you can and can't do.
- Monitor yourself closely throughout your recovery after surgery.
- Treat complications that may sometimes occur after surgery.
- Palliative Care Surgery is a type of surgery that is performed to reduce the symptoms of cancer, such as pain and discomfort. This means that even if the cancer cannot be cured, it can help you live the rest of your life without pain and with ease.
Why do I need to see a cancer surgeon?
You may be wondering, 'Why would I want to see a doctor like this?' Here are some situations where you might need to see a `(Surgical Oncologist)`:
- If you have a cancer screening test or other medical test that shows signs of cancer, then this doctor will perform the biopsy test I mentioned earlier and take a sample of the suspicious tissue to confirm whether it is cancer.
- If you have an increased risk of developing cancer. For example, if someone in your family has had cancer, or if you have a high risk of developing breast cancer due to genetic reasons, your doctor may perform a prophylactic mastectomy as a preventative measure.
- If you need to surgically remove a cancerous tumor, this can include metastatic cancer. Sometimes, the tumor needs to be removed not only from where the cancer first started, but also from where it has spread.
- If palliative care surgery is needed to relieve the symptoms of cancer, that is, to reduce pain.
What kind of surgeries do these cancer surgeons perform?
There are two main types of surgery for cancer: minimally invasive surgery and open surgery .
Think about it this way,
- Minimally Invasive Surgery: In this procedure, the doctor makes only a few small incisions in your body and uses specialized tools to remove the cancer. This procedure does not leave a large scar, you may recover more quickly, and you may need to stay in the hospital for less time. Sometimes, a camera (like a laparoscope) is inserted into the surgery so the doctor can see inside clearly.
- Open Surgery: In this, a single large incision is made to remove the cancerous tumor. In some complex cases, this method may be necessary if the tumor is large or if it has affected surrounding tissues.
Surgery is often a successful treatment for solid tumors. For example, it is the main treatment for diseases such as breast cancer. Also, if the cancer is in its early stages, meaning it has not spread to other areas, especially nearby lymph nodes, surgery is the main treatment.
Here are some more examples:
- Colon Cancer: For this, a Surgical Oncologist can perform either a Polypectomy (removing small growths in the colon) or a Partial Colectomy (removing part of the colon that has cancer).
- Non-small cell lung cancer: This type of lung cancer can be treated with either a lobectomy (complete removal of the affected lobe of the lung) or a lung resection (removal of a small part of the lung containing the cancer).
- Prostate Cancer: The surgery performed to treat this cancer in men is called a prostatectomy . It involves removing all or part of the prostate gland.
What should you expect when you visit a cancer surgeon for the first time?
When you first see a ``Surgical Oncologist'', he or she will do things like:
- They will explain to you what your test reports say .
- It talks about the ``Cancer Stage'' of your cancer .
- He will tell you what your treatment options are and what the pros and cons are. For example, he may suggest that you have the aforementioned ``Minimally Invasive Surgery'', or he may say that ``Open Surgery'' is the best option for you.
- They talk about the next steps, such as making a decision about treatment and setting a date to start treatment .
Not only that, the doctor will definitely ask you , "How are you?" They know how life changes and how overwhelming it can be when you receive a cancer diagnosis. They also understand that it's normal to feel scared when you're told about surgery. They will try to get to know you and help you reduce your fear and stress. Don't hesitate to talk to them about your feelings and fears.
What questions can you ask the cancer surgeon?
You will definitely have a lot of questions and doubts in your mind. Meeting a ``Surgical Oncologist`` for the first time is the best time to hear and understand all this. Here are some questions you can ask:
- What other care will I need in addition to this surgery? (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation therapy)
- What is the primary goal of this surgery ? (To completely cure the cancer, stop it from spreading, or reduce symptoms?)
- What is the success rate of this surgery?
- Will I need to have more than one surgery ?
- Are there any non-surgical treatment options for this?
- How long will I have to stay in the hospital after the surgery?
- How long will it take to return to normal life after surgery?
- What are the possible side effects or complications of this surgery? How long can they last?
The most important thing is, don't be afraid to ask any questions you have, no matter how small. The doctor is there to help you. When you know everything clearly, you will feel a great sense of relief.
What is the difference between a 'Medical Oncologist' and a 'Surgical Oncologist'?
This is also a question that many people have. Let's simply see what the difference is between these two.
- A Medical Oncologist is a doctor who uses non-surgical methods to treat cancer. For example, they treat cancer with things like `(Chemotherapy)` (we call this chemotherapy, the types of drugs that are given to kill cancer cells), `(Hormonal Therapies)` (some cancers are hormone-dependent, and treatments are given to treat them), and `(Immunotherapies)` (this is done by stimulating our body's own immune system to fight cancer).
- A surgical oncologist , as I mentioned earlier, treats cancer through surgery . That means surgically removing the cancerous tumor or affected parts.
If you have cancer, sometimes both types of treatment (surgical and non-surgical) may be used together. For example, you may be given chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor, or you may be given chemotherapy after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. This depends on many factors, including the type of cancer and the stage of the cancer.
Final Take-Home Message
You've probably heard that surgery is the most effective way to ``put cancer into remission.'' However, it's normal to feel a great deal of anxiety and fear when you hear that ''surgery is the best thing for you.''
Your surgical oncologist will be very knowledgeable about this. He will understand your feelings. He will take the time to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the surgery. This will help you understand what to expect before and after the surgery. This understanding will go a long way in reducing your fear.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. You have a team of skilled doctors to help you and take care of you. Talking openly with them, asking your questions, and sharing your feelings is the most important thing. Thinking positively and following the advice given by your doctors is very important for a speedy recovery.
` Cancer surgeon, Surgical Oncologist, cancer surgery, cancer disease, biopsy, cancer cases, surgery, cancer treatment, cancer specialist
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න