As part of the cancer care multidisciplinary team, our surgeons coordinate care with oncologists, radiologists and pathologists to help decide the best course of treatment for each patient.
Surgery is a common cancer treatment for breast, prostate, colorectal and other cancers. Surgery may be performed for prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer. Surgery may be the sole treatment, or combined with other cancer treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Some surgeries may require hospitalization and other surgeries can be done as outpatient procedures.
MemorialCare’s skilled surgeons provide the highest quality of care. Our surgical centers are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to enable the most advanced surgical procedures to be performed.
Minimally Invasive Surgery Procedures
The primary goal for surgical procedures for cancer treatment is to remove cancer cells or tumors from the body. We specialize in minimally invasive surgery procedures and methods to spare healthy tissue, reduce scarring and bleeding, and accelerate recovery time.
Types of Minimally Invasive Surgeries
Laparoscopic Surgery – small incisions are made for a laparoscope (a tiny camera connected to a video cord) and surgical tools to be inserted into the body. By watching a monitor, the surgeon is able to see inside the body to perform the surgery.
Some types of laparoscopic surgery for cancer treatments include:
- Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery – a procedure for colorectal cancer.
- Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgery – gynecological procedures for cervical, ovarian and uterine cancer.
- Laparoscopic Kidney Surgery – a procedure for kidney cancer.
- Laparoscopic Liver Surgery – a procedure for liver cancer.
- Laparoscopic Pancreas Surgery – a procedure for pancreatic cancer.
- Laparoscopic Prostate Surgery – a procedure for prostate cancer.
- Laparoscopic Thoracic Surgery – a procedure for lung cancer.
Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) - a procedure for lung cancer. Small incisions are made for a thoracoscope (a tiny video camera connected to a video cord) and surgical tools to be inserted into the body. By watching a monitor, the surgeon is able to see inside the body to perform the surgery.
Robotic Assisted Surgery - surgical procedures using robotic computer technology providing breakthrough minimally invasive surgical capabilities that offer greater surgical benefits.
Robotic-Assisted Cancer Surgery
The robotic surgical system uses robotic computer technology providing breakthrough minimally invasive surgical capabilities that offer many benefits.
How Robotic-Assisted Surgeries are Performed
Through robotic-assisted visualization, dexterity, precision and control, a surgeon can perform a wide array of procedures through small 1–2 cm incisions. During an operation, the surgeon sits at a console in the surgical suite and directs the robotic arms to perform the surgery. The robot seamlessly and directly translates the surgeon’s natural hand, wrist and finger movements from controls at the console to the surgical instruments inside the patient.
Enabling Surgeons with
- Greater range of motion and precision than with hand-manipulated, minimally invasive procedures.
- A magnified, high definition three-dimensional view when operating.
- Instruments that become an extension of the surgeon’s wrists, hands and fingers to move the tiny surgical instruments in a delicate, precise manner.
Minimally Invasive Surgeries Performed
- Adrenalectomy – a procedure for removal of one or both adrenal glands to treat tumors of the adrenal glands.
- Cystectomy – a procedure for bladder cancer.
- Hysterectomy – a gynecological procedure for cervical, ovarian and uterine cancer.
- Kidney Surgery – a procedure for kidney cancer.
- Prostatectomy – a procedure for prostate cancer.
- Throat Cancer Surgery - Throat cancer occurs in the larynx and pharynx, which includes the base of the tongue and tonsils. Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) is routinely used to treat throat cancer by operating through the mouth – avoiding a large incision through the jaw and throat.
Benefits of Robotic Surgery
- Less post-operative pain.
- Reduced trauma to the body.
- Less scarring.
- Shorter hospital stays.
- Reduced blood loss and need for transfusions.
- Quicker recovery and return to normal activities.