Cancer Surgery

What Is Cancer Surgery?

Cancer surgery includes a wide range of techniques to take out all or part of a tumor. Surgery may also remove some healthy tissue as a precaution, as well as lymph nodes.

Surgery is a common part of cancer care, and it may be the only cancer treatment some people need. Other people may need additional therapy, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The goals of cancer surgery can include:

• Diagnosing cancer by taking a tissue sample (biopsy)
• Determining the size of a tumor and whether cancer has spread (staging)
• Treating cancer by removing the whole tumor or as much as possible
• Repairing body areas after tumor removal
• Relieving cancer symptoms
• Preventing cancer by removing suspicious spots that could turn into cancer or taking out organs for people at high risk (learn more about genetic testing and counseling)

Top Surgeons, Latest Cancer Treatments & Specialized Cancer Surgeries

With surgery such an important part of many cancer treatment plans, you want a program you can trust. At Aurora Health Care, you’ll find:

• Top expertise: You work with a surgical oncologist who has completed specialized training (fellowship) and passed a test of skill and knowledge (board certification). Many of our surgical oncologists focus on a particular cancer or group of cancers. If needed, other top cancer surgeons may help with your care, including plastic surgeons. Find a doctor.
• Specialized surgeries: You have access to a range of the latest surgical options, including many minimally invasive approaches. Examples include:
  • Gynecologic cancer treatment with laparoscopy or robotic surgery
  • Some of the world’s most sophisticated techniques for brain tumors at the Aurora Neuroscience Innovation Institute
  • Nipple-sparing mastectomy for breast cancer
  • Plastic surgery, including reconstructive surgery and microsurgery
  • Transoral laser surgery for laryngeal cancer in the throat
  • Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer
• Other leading cancer treatments: Your surgeon may recommend surgical alternatives such as NanoKnife cancer ablation or highly precise CyberKnife radiation therapy. You may also have the option to receive other cancer treatments during surgery, including intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) or hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Laparoscopic Surgery & Robotic Surgery

While traditional, open surgery remains a good choice for many people, you also have access to innovative procedures using smaller incisions. During laparoscopic, thoracoscopic and endoscopic cancer surgeries, surgeons reach the tumor through small tubes, then use a camera and tiny tools to complete the procedure. Robotic-assisted surgery takes a similar approach, except that your surgeon controls highly precise mechanical arms.

Aurora surgeons have extensive experience with these minimally invasive techniques, including with the da Vinci Surgical System. Aurora was the state’s first cancer program to use the da Vinci robot, one of the leading tools for this type of surgery.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Cancer Surgery

Smaller incisions can mean:

• Less blood loss and damage to healthy tissue during surgery
• Less pain and scarring after treatment
• Faster recovery and shorter hospital stay with less risk of infection
• Potential to go home the same day and return to work more quickly