Both general surgeons and surgical oncologists can provide excellent care when your treatment plan calls for surgery. However, in some cases, your cancer care team may recommend that you get care from a surgical oncologist.

The simplest explanation is that a surgical oncologist is a surgeon who has special training in performing biopsies and other surgical procedures in cancer patients. Surgical oncologists are surgeons who devote most of their time to the study and treatment of cancer. They possess the knowledge, skills and clinical experience to perform standard as well as complex surgical procedures required for patients with cancer.

Most of the surgical procedures performed by surgical oncologists are similar to those performed by a general surgeon. Both types of surgeons must complete a five-year general surgery residency program. During this time, they become specialized in a broad range of surgical procedures. A general surgeon may do a range of cancer surgeries along with non-cancer-related procedures, while a surgical oncologist has completed two to three years of additional training in the treatment of cancer patients and concentrates his or her practice specifically on cancer surgery.

What differentiates these two types of surgeons is not merely knowledge about how to do a specific operation, but an awareness of how and when to do that operation; that is, the knowledge of multi-disciplinary cancer care, knowledge of why cancer occurs and how best to treat it.

While surgical oncologists surgical treat cancers, they must also understand radiation oncology, medical oncology, hematology and pathology. Surgical oncologists have a shared role with medical oncologists as the “primary care physicians” of cancer treatment. Almost all cancer patients will initially be managed by one of these two specialists who will bear the ultimate responsibility for coordinating appropriate care for the patient.

There are times when seeing a surgical oncologist versus a general surgeon may be beneficial, including if:

• Your cancer is in an advanced stage or complex and requires coordination between a medical oncologist and a radiation oncologist.
• Your cancer care team suggests an advanced form of surgical treatment.
• Your cancer has spread to the liver.
• You have a rare type of tumor.
• You have an aggressive type of skin cancer.

Before choosing a treatment plan, be sure to understand your diagnosis and to discuss your treatment options with your cancer team. When surgery is recommended, ask about your options to be treated by a surgical oncologist. It may be the right option for you.

Prevea Health has a surgical oncologist in the Green Bay area and would be happy to care for you. She also offers second opinions.  Click here to learn more.