Dr. Vivek Gupta

A surgical oncologist is a general surgeon with training in various procedures for diagnosing or removing cancerous growths. The common procedures performed by a surgical oncologist are biopsy and surgery for the removal of cancerous growth. Surgical oncologists can also perform surgeries to determine the areas cancer has spread. In some circumstances, surgical oncologists might also perform preventive surgery. In some cases, you may have surgery and get additional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. In such cases, surgical oncologists are an important part of the patient’s cancer care team.

Some of the most common test performed for the diagnosis of cancer are:

• Imaging Tests
• Cancer Screening
• Biopsy
• Laboratory Tests
• Physical Exam

Most cancer patients undergo a biopsy to remove a sample of tissues from a body part for examination by a pathologist so that cancer can be diagnosed.

You may see a surgical oncologist in case you have abnormal growth or tumor. If your primary doctor suspects cancer, they will refer you to a surgical oncologist for diagnosis. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, a doctor will refer you to surgical oncologists for your cancer treatment. In the below-listed situations, you must seek assistance from a surgical oncologist:

1. Unusual cancer like head or neck cancer.
2. Complex cancer can spread to multiple body parts.
3. Cancer recurrence
4. Cancer that is difficult to treat
5. For in-depth evaluation and treatment plan
6. You want a second opinion about cancer diagnosis