Surgical oncology
Occupation | |
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Occupation type | Specialty |
Activity sectors | Medicine, Surgery |
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Fields of employment | Hospitals, Clinics |
Surgical oncology is the branch of surgery applied to oncology; it focuses on the surgical management of tumors, especially cancerous tumors.
As one of several modalities in the
Debate
Whether surgical oncology constitutes a medical specialty per se is the topic of a heated debate. Today, some would agree that it is simply impossible for any one surgeon to be competent in the surgical management of all malignant disease[2] There are currently 19 surgical oncology fellowship training programs in the United States that have been approved by the Society of Surgical Oncology and this number is expect to grow.[3] While many general surgeons are actively involved in treating patients with malignant neoplasms, the designation of "surgical oncologist" is generally reserved for those surgeons who have completed one of the approved fellowship programs. However, this is a matter of semantics, as many surgeons who are thoroughly involved in treating cancer patients may consider themselves to be surgical oncologists.[4]
Most often, surgical oncologist refers to a general surgical oncologist (a subspecialty of general surgery), but thoracic surgical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists and so forth can all be considered surgeons who specialize in treating cancer patients.
Training
The importance of training surgeons who sub-specialize in cancer surgery lies in evidence, supported by a number of
Surgical oncology types and forms
These are the most common types and forms of oncological surgery:[6]
- surgery to diagnose cancer
- surgery to stage cancer
- curative surgery
- surgery to debulk cancer
- palliative surgery
- supportive surgery
- reconstructive surgery
- preventive (prophylactic) surgery.[7]
Surgical oncology techniques
Newer surgical techniques are less invasive, use different types of surgical instruments, and lead to less pain and shorter recovery times. The most effective surgical oncology techniques are:
- cryosurgery
- electrosurgery
- laparoscopic surgery
- laser surgery
- mohs surgery
- radiofrequencyablation
- robotic surgery and other forms of surgery.[8]
- thoracoscopic surgery
Books
One of the first text books dedicated to surgical oncology was written by the American-Irish surgeon, Theodore O'Connell in 1981.[9] Many publications in surgical oncology are also appearing. The majority are large reference textbooks that seemingly combine specialties that are not generally practiced by a single practitioner but cover the academic subject. A number of practical handbooks such as "surgical oncology" in the well read Oxford Handbooks series, have recently been published, perhaps alluding to the evolving practicality of this emerging discipline.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ "New Certificate in Complex General Surgical Oncology | American Board of Surgery". www.absurgery.org. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
- ^ "Editorial Note on Carcinoma | Oncology and Case Report" (PDF). www.iomcworld.org.
- ^ Surgical Oncology Fellowship Training Programs
- ^ "Surgical Oncology Education".
- ^ Surgical Oncology Program Clinical Trials
- ^ "How Surgery Is Used for Cancer". American Cancer Society. Retrieved 22 Sep 2020.
- ^ How Surgery Is Used for Cancer American Cancer Society.
- ^ Special Surgical Techniques American Cancer Society.
- ISBN 9780816121571.