Treating Cancer with Advanced Surgical Options
Surgery is an integral part of many cancer treatments. Nearly all cancer patients require at least one surgical procedure, for biopsy, tumor removal, or for something more complex. Surgery offers a good chance of full recovery in cases where cancer has not spread to other areas of the body.
At St. Joseph’s Health, our surgical oncology team provides expert, personalized cancer surgery using the latest surgical techniques to remove and treat cancer. We are leaders in minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery, which result in less pain and faster recovery, allowing patients to start their next phase of cancer treatment sooner. We work with each patient to achieve the best possible outcome that addresses that patient’s needs. Our goal with surgery is always to provide the most effective treatment in the least invasive manner. With a staff combining expertise from several important specialties – including breast, thoracic, head & neck, gynecologic, neurologic and gastrointestinal cancers – we are uniquely equipped to undertake difficult and delicate procedures.
Surgery may be combined with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation. Our multidisciplinary approach means our oncology surgeons work closely with their colleagues in radiology, pathology, radiation oncology, plastic surgery, and medical oncology to determine the right treatment for you.
St. Joseph’s Health is accredited by the American College of Surgeon’s Commission on Cancer. This means that St. Joseph’s Health adheres to the highest standards for cancer surgery and treatment.
Advanced Treatment Options
Cancer surgery encompasses a wide range of treatment options to remove cancerous tumors. The type of surgery you receive depends on many factors, including the type, size, location, and stage of the tumor. We treat the full spectrum of cancers and offer innovative, leading-edge treatments, including:
- Minimally Invasive Surgery — This is the practice of performing surgical procedures through tiny cuts rather than long incisions. Whenever possible, our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to speed recovery and to reduce pain, scarring and tissue damage.
- Robotic Surgery —High-tech, computer-enhanced systems help surgeons operate even more precisely to remove a cancerous mass while preserving the surrounding tissue. Robotic technology can make surgery less disruptive for patients and lead to faster healing times. Our surgeons continue to be innovators in robotic surgical approaches, including those to remove some gynecologic, urologic and colorectal cancers.
- Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) – A heated, sterilized chemotherapy solution is delivered directly into the abdomen during a surgical procedure. The surgery removes the tumor, while the chemotherapy destroys any remaining cancer cells.
- Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) – This is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat cancer in the chest. A tiny camera and surgical instruments are inserted in the chest through small incisions. The camera transmits images inside the chest on a video monitor, guiding the surgeon.
- Whipple Procedure — The Whipple procedure is a common — yet, incredibly complex — surgery for removal of cancer in the pancreas.
