UH Experts Offer Surgical Options for Cancer Treatment

At University Hospitals, our ultimate goal is to improve the lives of as many cancer patients as possible through our care. Surgical oncology is a highly specialized aspect of cancer care that focuses on the surgical management of cancer, benign tumors and other diseases related to the breast, skin, endocrine system and gastrointestinal tract. Surgery to remove the tumor or cancer is often an important part of the comprehensive treatment plan and may be curative if the cancer is localized to a specific area and has not spread to other parts of the body. In many cases, surgical treatment is combined with other therapies like radiation, chemotherapy or immunotherapy before or after surgery. 

The surgical oncologists at University Hospitals have advanced training in the treatment of cancer and work with a wide range of other specialists as a multi-disciplinary team that includes radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, nutritionists, cancer genetics, and holistic specialists from the UH Connor Whole Health. Together, these expert teams provide patients with the most advanced combination of treatment options to achieve the best possible outcome.

Browse Treatments by Cancer Type

In addition to removing cancerous tissue, surgical oncologists may also perform procedures to:

• Diagnosis and stage cancer using minimally invasive techniques to remove samples of tissue for biopsy in the lab. Often, lymph nodes will also be tested to help determine if the cancer has spread.
• Support other cancer treatments and help them work more effectively. An example of a supportive procedure is the insertion of a port or catheter to help with chemotherapy.
• Control pain and manage cancer symptoms and side effects of other treatments.

UH Expertise Blends with Compassion to Provide High Quality Care

The surgical oncology teams at University Hospitals provide the highest level of expertise, cutting edge treatments and innovative research to ensure patients have access to the most advanced care. We combine advanced technology with a unique and compassionate approach to the care of each patient, which translates into exceptional surgical outcomes and a lasting bond with our patients.

Some of the specialized surgical approaches, procedures and therapies that may be used during cancer treatment, include:

• Resection of your tumor
• Minimally invasive surgery, using small incisions for laparoscopy or a robot
• Injections into the tumor for immunotherapy
• Infusion of chemotherapy just to the region of the tumor to maximize the anti-cancer effect
• Infusion of the patient’s own insulin-producing cells after the entire pancreas is removed for chronic pancreatitis