The word cancer surgery can make everything feel suddenly urgent. A patient may be told that surgery is needed, while the family is still trying to understand the diagnosis, test reports, and whether an operation is really the next step.
That confusion is normal. A surgical oncologist is not simply a surgeon who removes a tumour. Their role is to assess whether cancer can be treated surgically, what type of surgery may be appropriate, and how surgery fits into the patient's wider cancer treatment plan.
A surgical oncologist is a specialist trained to treat cancer using surgery. Depending on the type and location of cancer, this may involve removing a tumour, nearby affected tissue, or selected lymph nodes.
But surgery is not automatically the answer for every cancer patient.
The surgical oncologist first looks at the cancer type, its location, size, stage, overall health, and other test results. They may also work with medical oncologists, radiation specialists, radiologists, pathologists, and other doctors before deciding on the next step.
You may be referred to one when a solid tumour has been found and surgery is being considered.
This can include cancers involving the breast, colon and rectum, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, ovaries, uterus, head and neck, and other organs.
Sometimes surgery is performed soon after diagnosis. In other cases, chemotherapy or radiation may be given first to shrink the tumour before an operation. The order depends on the individual cancer rather than a fixed rule.
One common mistake we see is waiting until every possible treatment decision has already been made before speaking with a surgical specialist.
A surgical oncologist can sometimes help clarify the treatment pathway early. They can explain whether an operation is possible, what it would involve, and whether other treatment may need to come before or after surgery.
This is particularly important when a patient has been given several opinions that seem to contradict one another.
For example, a patient with colorectal cancer may initially focus only on removing the tumour. But the surgical team also needs to consider nearby lymph nodes, the tumour's position, bowel function, and whether additional treatment should happen before surgery.
Another misconception is that cancer surgery always involves a major open procedure.
Depending on the cancer and the patient's situation, minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic or robotic surgery may sometimes be appropriate. These approaches use smaller surgical openings and specialised instruments.
However, newer technology is not automatically better for every patient. The contrarian point here is simple: don't choose a cancer surgeon because they advertise the fanciest technology. Choose based on whether that approach is suitable for your particular cancer.
A technically advanced procedure still needs to be the right procedure.
Cancer appointments can become overwhelming, so it helps to arrive with specific questions.
Ask:
Is surgery recommended in my case?
What is the goal of the operation?
Do I need chemotherapy or radiation before surgery?
What exactly will be removed?
Will lymph nodes need to be examined or removed?
What are the major risks?
How long could recovery take?
Are there surgical alternatives?
What happens if surgery is not performed?
Don't worry about asking the same question twice. A good consultation should leave you with a clearer understanding of what happens next.
Consider a patient diagnosed with a tumour that appears suitable for surgery based on the initial scans. Further evaluation may show that the tumour is close to important structures or that nearby lymph nodes are involved.
Instead of immediately operating, the cancer team may decide that treatment before surgery could be more appropriate.
The important result isn't simply "the tumour was removed." The better outcome is having a treatment plan designed around the cancer's actual stage and behaviour.
That is why our approach with patients is to look beyond the operation itself and understand where surgery fits into the complete treatment journey.
The need for specialist cancer care remains significant. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated around 20 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2022, with the global burden projected to rise substantially over the coming decades.
That makes early evaluation and coordinated cancer care increasingly important—not because every patient needs surgery, but because treatment decisions need to be made carefully and at the right stage.
When comparing specialists, look beyond online descriptions and impressive-sounding procedures.
Consider the doctor's experience with your particular type of cancer, the surgical approach being proposed, the hospital's cancer-care facilities, and how clearly the treatment plan is explained.
It is also reasonable to ask whether your case will be discussed with other cancer specialists when necessary. Cancer treatment is often a team effort, and surgery is only one part of that picture.
Dr. Deepika Gupta is a cancer-care specialist associated with the surgical management of cancers, with a patient-focused approach to explaining treatment choices. For patients facing a new diagnosis, having a specialist who discusses the role of surgery, possible procedures, and the wider treatment plan can make a difficult decision easier to understand.
You should consider seeing one when cancer has been diagnosed and surgery may be part of treatment, or when your doctor has identified a tumour that may require surgical assessment.
No. Some cancers are primarily treated with medicines, radiation, or a combination of treatments. Whether surgery is useful depends on the cancer type, stage, location, and individual circumstances.
Not necessarily. Minimally invasive surgery can offer advantages for selected patients, but suitability depends on the cancer and the planned procedure. The surgical approach should follow the patient's treatment needs, not the technology alone.
A cancer diagnosis brings enough uncertainty without adding confusion about what happens next. If surgery has become part of your treatment discussion, understanding why it is being recommended can be just as important as understanding the operation itself.
For patients considering their surgical options, Dr. Deepika Gupta can be part of that conversation—helping connect the question of surgery with the bigger picture of cancer treatment.
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