The Department of Surgical Oncology at Dr.Kamakshi Memorial Hospital is responsible for the care of patients requiring operative intervention for the treatment of cancer.

Our surgical oncology team provide specialist respiratory and thoracic surgical services for the diagnosis and management of lung cancer - in both the primary and metastatic setting.

We provide diagnostic services, curative surgery and palliative treatments for thoracic cancers. This includes primary lung cancer, chest wall sarcomas and where a variety of secondary disease sites within the chest are present.

Our surgical oncologist surgeons are well trained to use the most advanced and minimally invasive techniques to surgically remove tumors and minimize the chance of leaving microscopic amounts of tumor behind.

The multi-disciplinary team in Dr. KMH includes thoracic surgeons, respiratory physicians, oncologists, histopathologists, radiologists, specialist nurses and palliative care specialists.

Various types of surgeries in surgical oncology include:

Breast Cancer Surgery

Breast Cancer Surgery is a surgery to remove as much of cancer as possible is the primary treatment for breast cancer.
There are several types of breast surgery. The main types include:

• Breast-conserving surgery - The surgeon takes out only the cancer lump and an edge (margin) of healthy tissue around it. The breast itself remains intact. This type of surgery is also called breast-sparing surgery, lumpectomy, quadrantectomy, partial mastectomy, or segmental mastectomy.
• Mastectomy is a surgery to remove the breast.
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a complex surgery that takes out lymph node tissue to look for cancer. It is used to see if a known breast cancer or melanoma has spread from the original cancer site.

Gallbladder Surgery

Gallbladder Surgery is also called as cholecystectomy. It is the removing the gallbladder can relieve pain and may also prevent future attacks.

Liver Resection

Removing the tumor is the only way to cure liver cancer. Taking the whole tumor out will give you the best chance of survival. If the tumor can be removed, it is most often done during an operation called a liver resection or a partial hepatectomy.
Types of surgery for liver cancer:

• Hepatectomy - The surgeon removes the part of the liver that contains the tumor. It is also called as partial hepatectomy or tumor resection.
• Liver transplant - The surgeon removes the entire liver and replaces it with part or all of a liver from a donor.

Esophageal Cancer Surgery

This is the main type of surgery to treat cancer in the upper part of the esophagus. It is done for people who have early stage esophageal cancer that has not spread to the stomach.
Types of surgery for esophageal cancer:

• Esophagectomy/esophagogastrectomy
• Palliative surgery

Pancreatic Cancer Surgery

There are several types of surgery for pancreatic cancer. The type of surgery you need depends on the location of the tumor in the pancreas and whether all of the cancer can be removed.
Types of surgery for pancreatic cancer:

• Staging laparoscopy is a surgery to determine the extent of the cancer.
• Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a surgery to try to remove all of the cancer. This surgery is also called as Whipple procedure.
• Total pancreatectomy - this surgery is required if the cancer has spread through entire pancreas, but not beyond it.
• Distal pancreatectomy - this surgery might be an option if your cancer is confined to the tail of your pancreas.

We also offer a comprehensive care path that includes a dedicated suite for post-surgery patients. A professional team of nurses is on staff to ensure that our patients receive the best care possible.