Understanding Oncology Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction to Oncology Surgery

Oncology surgery refers to a field of medicine specializing in the treatment of various kinds of cancers. The treatments usually involve the removal of tumors by surgical means and with the tissues that surround them to avoid the spread of cancerous cells. This pamphlet will give a broad overview of oncology surgery, including but not limited to treatments of colon, pancreatic, stomach, and thyroid cancers.

Colon Cancer Treatment

Colon cancer treatment options often involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Among the surgical procedures are colectomy, wherein part or all of the colon is removed, and lymph node dissection. Both operations are very essential to eradicate cancerous tissues and to avoid recurrence of the disease.

For detailed information about the treatment of colon cancer, please refer to our Colon Cancer Treatment page.

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most difficult cancers to treat because of the tendency for diagnosis at a late stage and the aggressive nature of the malignancy. Various treatments involve the Whipple procedure, distal pancreatectomy, and total pancreatectomy. Each of these resections tries to remove the tumor and surrounding tissues in attempts to prolong the survival and provide better quality of life.

To learn more about various pancreatic cancer treatment, please refer to our Pancreatic Cancer Treatment page.

Stomach Cancer Treatment

Treatment for stomach cancer frequently involves the three major treatment modes: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Surgery may entail partial or total gastrectomy, depending on the need to remove part or all of the stomach. This approach is used not only to help eliminate the body of the cancerous cells but also to reduce the risk of metastasis.

For detailed information on stomach cancer treatment, please refer to our Stomach Cancer Treatment page.

Thyroid Cancer Treatment

The treatment of thyroid cancer is mainly based upon the surgical removal of the thyroid gland, known as a thyroidectomy. A partial or total thyroidectomy may be performed depending on the stage and type of thyroid cancer. Additional treatment may also be delivered in forms such as radioactive iodine therapy and hormone therapy to ensure that any remnants of the cancerous cells have been destroyed.

For more detailed information regarding thyroid cancer treatment, visit our Thyroid Cancer Treatment page.


Oncology surgery is a very important approach to the therapy of many cancers. Understanding the different options available in surgery and where colon, pancreatic, stomach, and thyroid cancers may employ these cancer surgeries are important in making all-important decisions regarding treatment options. For more information on oncology surgery and various cancer-specific treatments, refer to the links above.

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