Oncologic
Surgeons

For many decades, surgery was the only known treatment for cancer.

But over the past century, the world of Western Medicine has developed additional cancer treatments which have enhanced surgical solutions. To date, only surgical interventions can definitively address almost all solid cancers. That said, progress has been material and continues to improve outcomes.

Therapies for cancer patients have evolved tremendously in recent decades. That brings us to the evolution of oncologic surgeons.

Oncologic surgeons lead diversified teams, managing the application of treatments like molecular therapies, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This is the contemporary standard of therapeutic responses to cancer, with oncologic surgeons leading teams of cancer professionals.

A Surgical Team Lead

Oncologic surgeons serve as surgical organizers and leaders. With a massive body of knowledge about the range of treatments which can be called on to address primary or secondary cancer, they’re focused on complex cases.

Certified by the American Board of Surgery and the Surgical Oncology Board, oncologic surgeons bring specialized skill and compassionate team leadership to patients fighting cancer. This care encompasses maintaining high standards for the taking of tissue and banking specimens.

Murray Brennan of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York has pinpointed 7 important sectors of knowledge for oncologic surgeons:

Knowledge of genetic predisposition and etiology

Understanding the cancer in play’s natural history and prognostic factors

Treatment cost containment

Engagement in the development of clinical trials

Proven command of managing advanced disease

Facility in patient support

Precise outcome evaluation

Driving Change

Oncologic breast surgeons are found in operating theaters but not exclusively. They’re leading surgical teams but they’re also driving research and leading cancer care education in universities.

The oncologic breast surgeon’s influence is incalculable, leading education and research toward improving patient outcomes.

Often attending at the earliest moment of diagnosis and testing, oncologic breast surgeons improve community awareness and knowledge, spearheading efforts in cancer education by championing early screening and diagnosis.

This role is becoming more crucial each day, representing an enormously valuable fixture in the medical community.

The oncologic breast surgeon’s mission is that of challenging cancer itself. By leading research efforts and clinical trials, oncologic breast surgeons are exploring and revealing innovative methodologies which improve cancer treatment and survival rates.

Education and Research Leaders

Oncologic surgeons aren’t solely found in the operating theater. They’re not just working as leaders for patient support teams but educating patients and their families and driving research and offering education about cancer care in universities and hospitals.

As education and research leaders, oncologic surgeons are changing the game. Education and research are pivotal in evolving the delivery of cancer therapies and directly improving outcomes.

Often present for initial diagnosis and testing, oncologic surgeons are uniquely positioned to be enormously effective leaders in community awareness and prevention education, early diagnosis and the tremendous value of screening.

As this increasingly influential cancer care leadership role evolves and becomes a value-added fixture in the medical community, its mission is growing into that of cancer prevention leadership. By leading clinical trials and research efforts, oncologic surgeons are breaching new frontiers in treatment approaches which improve cancer care and survival rates.

That means better outcomes for patients!