Cancer Surgery
While we don’t perform surgical operations ourselves, the Cancer Center of Southern California brings together the expertise, planning, and follow-through you deserve. We partner with skilled surgeons and institutions, integrate your medical oncologist’s treatment plan (including chemotherapy or radiation), and support you through every step, from evaluation through recovery.
What “Surgery Coordination” Means
The team at the Cancer Center of Southern California is made up of skilled oncologists with years of experience behind them. Our team, led by internationally recognized oncologist Dr. Sant Chawla, collaborates with a network of experienced surgeons from prestigious medical institutions, such as M.D. Anderson, UCLA, and USC.
We are experts at sequencing your therapies to achieve the most favorable outcome.
We work closely with leading cancer surgeons in Los Angeles to ensure you get high-quality surgical care.
We plan the timing of every therapy that is part of your treatment plan. Surgery is often one part of a multimodal strategy and may be preceded by chemotherapy to shrink tumors or followed by treatments to reduce recurrence.
After surgery, we provide ongoing oncological oversight, coordinate lab and imaging follow-ups, manage chemo or radiation when needed, and guide you through symptom relief and recovery.
Understanding Cancer Surgery
Surgery is the oldest form of cancer treatment, but significant advances in surgical procedures have changed how it's executed. Today, it is often part of a multi-modal treatment plan that includes chemotherapy and/or radiation.
The goal of cancer surgery is to remove the tumor along with some surrounding tissue to prevent recurrence. The success of a surgical plan depends on factors like age, medical history, and the tumor's characteristics, including its size, location, and type.
Surgical Approaches We Coordinate
Our network of surgical partners is skilled in a wide range of advanced techniques:
- Robotic Cancer Surgery: This advanced technique uses computer-guided robotic arms for enhanced precision and control. It offers benefits like less blood loss, reduced pain, smaller incisions, and a quicker recovery.
- Minimally Invasive or Endoscopic Surgery: This method uses a camera and special instruments to perform the operation through small incisions. It has proven effective for treating numerous cancers, including rectal, colon, and stomach cancer.
- Pulmonary Cancer Surgery: This is a treatment for lung cancer, most commonly for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It can involve removing an entire lobe (lobectomy) or a whole lung (pneumonectomy) to remove cancerous tissue and minimize recurrence.
- Traditional Open Surgery: This is employed in cases where a minimally invasive approach isn’t feasible.
When Surgery Fits into Your Treatment Plan
Here’s a look at when surgery might be suggested as part of your treatment plan.
Stage
Role of Surgery Coordination
Chemotherapy or targeted therapy may be used first to shrink tumors so surgery is more effective and less invasive.
The surgeon removes the tumor mass, guided by our oncologists to optimize margins and preserve function.
We help plan follow-on treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or clinical trials to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Second Opinions & Alternatives to Surgery
If surgery appears risky or borderline feasible, or you want confirmation of surgical plans, we offer expert second opinions and non-surgical alternatives. If your current treatment plan includes surgery, getting a second opinion is a vital step in making a confident decision. We specialize in providing second opinions for complex and difficult-to-treat cancers. We can help you:
- Evaluate Your Options: We review your surgical plan and explore alternatives to surgery, such as new clinical trials or advanced drug therapeutics.
- Confirm Your Plan: You can gain peace of mind by confirming that the recommended surgical approach is the best option for your case.
Start Your Treatment with Confidence
If surgery is part of your recommended care, you deserve a team that can help you navigate every step. At the Cancer Center of Southern California, we help you evaluate surgical options, secure talented surgeons, and ensure your care plan (before, during, and after surgery) is optimized for your health and goals.
For appointments, please call us at 310-552-9999 or request an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Surgery is performed by trusted partner surgeons with whom we collaborate. We help identify the surgeon and ensure your care is coordinated before and after the procedure.
These techniques use small incisions and precision tools, which often mean less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery.
In many cases, yes. Chemotherapy (or other treatments) may be used before to shrink tumors or after to reduce the possibility of recurrence. Our oncologists will guide the timing of each treatment modality.
We assess every case individually. Factors we consider include tumor type, overall health, lung or organ function, and whether the risk vs benefit makes sense. Even when surgery is not advisable, we continue to fight for you and explore options like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, or investigational treatments as part of your care plan.
