Our surgical oncologists focus on the diagnosis and management of patients and offer high levels of expertise in a broad range of specialties. Surgical treatments are part of a comprehensive treatment plan featuring collaboration among radiation oncologists and medical oncologists to provide patients with coordinated care that offers them the best treatment outcomes possible.
This expertise allows us to provide patients with the very latest minimally invasive surgical techniques. These procedures are performed with small incisions that result in less blood loss, pain and a shorter hospital stay. Often, these techniques allow the surgeon to save the organ or spare normal tissues that are close by. Typically, patients are able to return to their normal routine quickly.
Examples of Surgical Oncology Techniques
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is the use of extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissue.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency Ablation is an image-guided technique that uses heat to destroy cancer cells. A needle electrode is guided to the tumor and high frequency electrical currents are applied. Most often used to treat liver disease, this technique may be used in combination with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Anal Sphincter Preserving Surgery
Anal Sphincter Preserving Surgery is for tumors that affect the lower portion of the rectum. This surgery helps selected patients to avoid a colostomy.
Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping Therapy
Partical Breast Treatment
A five-day treatment alternative to who breast radiation for women with certain smaller, early stage breast cancers. After lumpectomy, or the removal of the breast tumor, a balloon-tipped catheter is positioned into the surgical area. A radioactive seed is placed into the balloon and remains in place for ten minutes. The procedure is repeated twice a day, with a six-hour interval in between, for five days.
Chemoembolization
Chemoembolization is a procedure that delivers chemotherapy directly to the tumor using narrow tubes called catheters, which reach the treatment area using a tiny skin puncture. In addition, a second procedure, embolization, maybe used to cut off blood supply to the tumor. This starves the tumor of oxygen and nutrients and at the same time, traps the anti-cancer drug at the treatment site, allowing for a greater therapeutic effect.
Chemoembolization is often used for patients who have primary live cancer or metastatic liver cancer that has spread to the organ from other areas of the body. This treatment may also be combined with surgery, radiation therapy, or radiofrequency ablation.
Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is one of the most recent advances in minimally invasive surgery. Drexel surgeons apply this technology to a wide range of treatment areas, including the prostate, gastrointestinal system, and lung, among others.
During robotic surgery, the surgeon sits at a console and manipulates four robotic arms. One arm controls a camera that provides a three-dimensional, magnified view of the operative area. The other robotic arms hold miniaturized surgical instruments that reach the operative site through small, one-inch incisions. The robotic arms eliminate the even the tiniest hand tremors and allow surgeons to scale their hand movements so that, for example, a five inch human hand motion moves the robotic hand just one inch. The use of the surgical robot helps surgeons to operate with greater precision, leading to improved surgical outcomes.
Learn more about Drexel Surgical Associates.
The information on these pages is provided for general information only and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for consultation with a physician or healthcare professional. If you have specific questions or concerns about your health, you should consult your healthcare professional.
To make an appointment, call 866-884-4HUH (4484)
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