Surgical oncology is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing, staging, and treating cancer through surgery. Surgical oncologists perform procedures to remove cancerous tumors, evaluate whether cancer has spread, and help patients achieve the best possible treatment outcomes.
At Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, our surgical oncology team provides specialized cancer surgery for patients throughout Miami, South Florida, and beyond.
As South Florida’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center, Sylvester brings together experienced cancer surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other specialists to develop personalized treatment plans.
Our surgical services include gastrointestinal (GI), breast, oncoplastic, colorectal, thoracic, and endocrine surgery. We use advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures when appropriate, to treat common and complex cancers.
Whether you have recently received a cancer diagnosis, need surgery, or want a second opinion, our specialists work together to help you understand your options and determine the most appropriate treatment.
Call 1-844-324-HOPE (4673) or request an appointment online.
- What Is Surgical Oncology?
- What Types of Cancer Surgery Does Sylvester Offer?
- Advanced Cancer Surgery and Treatment Options
- Why Choose Sylvester for Cancer Surgery?
- What to Expect Before, During, and After Cancer Surgery
- Coordinated Cancer Care and Patient Support
- Surgical Oncology Research and Clinical Trials
- Frequently Asked Questions About Surgical Oncology
What Is Surgical Oncology?
Surgical Oncology is a specialized branch of medicine that uses surgery to diagnose, stage, and treat cancer as well as manage cancer related symptoms.
A surgical oncologist is a board certified surgeon with specialized training in cancer care and tumor biology. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, surgery may be used to:
- Remove a cancerous tumor and surrounding tissue.
- Obtain tissue samples for diagnosis.
- Determine whether cancer has spread.
- Reduce the size of a tumor before additional treatment.
- Relieve symptoms caused by advanced cancer.
- Support treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Not everyone with cancer needs surgery. At Sylvester, our multidisciplinary team considers your diagnosis, cancer stage, overall health, and treatment goals to determine whether surgery is the best option.
What Types of Cancer Surgery Does Sylvester Offer?
Our surgeons collaborate with cancer specialists to develop treatment plans based on each patient’s diagnosis and individual needs. Sylvester’s surgical oncology program provides specialized care on the following areas:
- Breast cancer
- Melanoma
- Sarcoma
- Upper gastrointestinal malignancies – GI Cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) cancer
- Thoracic
- Endocrine tumors
Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Surgery
Our gastrointestinal cancer surgeons treat cancers affecting the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, and other digestive organs.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include minimally invasive surgery, robotic-assisted procedures, or complex operations to remove tumors while preserving healthy tissue and organ function whenever possible.
Our GI surgical oncology team works closely with gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other specialists to coordinate diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care.
Breast Cancer Surgery
Our breast cancer surgeons provide personalized surgical treatment for patients with newly diagnosed, recurrent, or complex breast cancers.
Surgical options may include:
- Lumpectomy, also called breast-conserving surgery.
- Mastectomy to remove breast tissue.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy and other lymph node procedures when indicated.
- Surgery coordinated with breast reconstruction.
Our team considers tumor characteristics, cancer stage, genetic risk factors when relevant, and patient preferences when recommending a surgical approach.
Colorectal Cancer Surgery
Our colorectal surgeons specialize in treating cancers of the colon and rectum.
Depending on the cancer’s location and stage, surgical treatment may involve removing part or all of the affected section of the colon or rectum, along with nearby lymph nodes when appropriate.
Our specialists offer advanced surgical approaches, including minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures for eligible patients.
Treatment planning emphasizes effective cancer removal while considering bowel function, recovery, and long-term quality of life.
Thoracic Cancer Surgery
Thoracic surgery focuses on conditions affecting organs and structures within the chest, including cancers of the lungs, esophagus, and other thoracic structures.
Our thoracic surgeons work with pulmonologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other specialists to evaluate treatment options for patients with thoracic cancers.
Depending on the diagnosis, surgical procedures may include removal of a lung tumor, a portion of the lung, or other affected tissue.
Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted approaches may be available for selected patients.
Endocrine Cancer Surgery
Our endocrine surgeons treat cancers and selected tumors affecting hormone-producing glands, including the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands.
Surgical treatment may involve removing a tumor, part of a gland, or an entire affected gland, depending on the diagnosis.
Our surgeons collaborate with endocrinologists, oncologists, radiologists, and other specialists to develop treatment plans that consider cancer control, hormone function, and long-term health.
Advanced Cancer Surgery and Treatment Options
At Sylvester, our surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to treat cancer while minimizing the impact on healthy tissue whenever possible.
The recommended surgical approach depends on the type and location of cancer, its stage, and the patient’s overall health.
Minimally Invasive Cancer Surgery
Minimally invasive cancer surgery uses smaller incisions and specialized instruments to perform certain procedures that traditionally required larger incisions.
For eligible patients, potential benefits may include:
- Smaller incisions and less scarring.
- Less postoperative discomfort.
- Shorter hospital stays.
- Faster recovery.
- Earlier return to daily activities.
Not all cancers can be treated with minimally invasive techniques. Your surgeon will recommend an approach based on your individual condition.
Robotic-Assisted Cancer Surgery
Robotic-assisted surgery allows specially trained surgeons to perform selected complex procedures using instruments controlled by the surgeon.
At Sylvester, robotic-assisted approaches may be used in certain gastrointestinal, colorectal, thoracic, and other cancer operations when clinically appropriate.
These technologies provide enhanced visualization and precise instrument control during surgery.
Although robotic-assisted surgery may offer advantages for some patients, it is not necessarily the best approach for every cancer or procedure.
Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC
Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are specialized treatments for selected cancers that have spread within the abdominal cavity.
Cytoreductive surgery removes as much visible tumor as possible. HIPEC involves circulating heated chemotherapy within the abdominal cavity during surgery to treat cancer cells that may remain.
This approach may be considered for certain patients with advanced abdominal cancers, depending on the diagnosis, extent of disease, and overall health.
Our specialists evaluate each patient’s condition to determine whether this treatment is appropriate.
Oncoplastic, Plastics Reconstructive and Lymphedema Surgery
For eligible patients undergoing breast cancer surgery, oncoplastic and reconstructive procedures may help preserve or restore breast appearance.
Our breast surgeons and reconstructive specialists collaborate to provide options that may include breast reshaping, tissue rearrangement, or reconstruction when appropriate.
Reconstruction may be performed at the time of cancer surgery or as a separate procedure, depending on the patient’s treatment plan and preferences.
We offer comprehensive lymphedema treatment, including advanced microsurgery. Lymphedema occurs most commonly from cancer surgery. This fluid buildup causes painful swelling, heaviness, skin scarring and tissue fibrosis. These surgeries include lymph venous bypass to redirect fluid into your veins, and vascularized lymph node transplant to move lymph nodes from other areas of your body to the limb where you experience lymphedema.
For advanced lymphedema, we also offer liposuction, to remove excess fat that can build up because of lymphedema. We also offer excision surgery to remove fibrosis that lymphedema can cause. All of these surgical options can improve your quality of life, function, and comfort when physical therapy or compression are not effective enough.
The goal is to provide effective cancer treatment while considering breast appearance, symmetry, and the patient’s quality of life.
Why Choose Sylvester for Cancer Surgery?
Choosing where to receive cancer surgery is an important decision. At Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, patients have access to specialized surgical expertise, multidisciplinary treatment planning, and research-driven cancer care.
South Florida’s Only NCI-Designated Cancer Center. Sylvester is the only NCI-designated cancer center in South Florida. This designation recognizes scientific leadership, cancer research, and the ability to translate research discoveries into patient care. Our patients benefit from access to cancer specialists, advanced treatment options, and clinical trials that may not be widely available.
Specialized Expertise Across Cancer Types. Cancer surgery requires different techniques and expertise depending on the organ involved and the characteristics of the tumor. This specialized approach helps patients receive surgical recommendations tailored to their diagnosis.
Multidisciplinary Cancer Treatment. Cancer treatment often requires more than surgery. Our surgical oncologists collaborate with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, and other specialists to develop coordinated treatment plans. Multidisciplinary tumor boards provide opportunities for specialists to review complex cases and recommend evidence-based treatment approaches.
Research and Clinical Trials. As part of an academic medical center, Sylvester combines clinical care with cancer research. Our physician-scientists investigate new surgical techniques, technologies, and combinations of treatments. Eligible patients may have access to clinical trials evaluating new approaches to cancer care.
Survivorship Clinic. At our cancer survivorship clinic, your first visit is based on your individual needs and may include:
- Reviewing your past cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- Explaining your diagnosis, treatments, and possible long-term health effects.
- Checking your physical and emotional health through exams.
- Helping you manage any physical, emotional, or social effects of cancer.
- Evaluating your risk of cancer returning or getting a new type of cancer.
- Referring you to cancer screenings if needed.
- Giving advice on staying healthy through diet, exercise, weight control and quitting smoking.
- Creating a follow-up care plan for you and your doctors.
- Talking with the doctors who treated your cancer.
- Recommending specialists like dietitians, physical therapists and other health experts.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Cancer Surgery
Our surgical oncology team guides patients through every stage of care, from the initial evaluation through treatment and recovery.
- Consultation and diagnosis: Your surgeon reviews your medical history, imaging studies, pathology results, and other diagnostic information. Additional testing may be recommended to determine the extent of your cancer and whether surgery is appropriate.
- Personalized treatment planning: Your care team develops a treatment plan based on your diagnosis, overall health, and treatment goals. Some patients may benefit from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other treatments before or after surgery.
- Surgery and hospital care: Your surgeon explains the recommended procedure, its potential benefits and risks, and what to expect during recovery. The length of your hospital stay depends on the procedure and your individual needs.
- Recovery and follow-up: After surgery, your team monitors your recovery, reviews pathology results, and determines whether additional treatment is needed. Follow-up care may include imaging, rehabilitation, additional cancer treatment, and long-term surveillance.
Coordinated Cancer Care and Patient Support
Cancer surgery is one part of a comprehensive treatment journey.
At Sylvester, patients may have access to supportive services that help address physical, emotional, and practical needs before, during, and after treatment.
Depending on individual needs, these services may include nurse navigation, oncology nutrition, rehabilitation, emotional support, and survivorship care.
Our goal is to help patients navigate treatment decisions, prepare for surgery, and manage recovery with coordinated support.
Surgical Oncology Research and Clinical Trials
Sylvester’s surgical oncology specialists participate in research aimed at improving cancer treatment, surgical techniques, and patient outcomes.
Clinical trials may investigate new procedures, technologies, or combinations of surgery with other cancer treatments.
Your care team can help determine whether a clinical trial may be appropriate based on your diagnosis and treatment history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Surgical Oncology
Request a Surgical Oncology Appointment or Second Opinion
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, need surgery, or want a second opinion, Sylvester’s surgical oncology specialists can help you understand your treatment options.
Our team provides personalized evaluations and coordinates care with other cancer specialists to develop a treatment plan appropriate for your diagnosis.
Call 1-844-324-HOPE (4673) or request an appointment online.
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