Cancer Surgery

Surgery can be an important part of diagnosing and treating cancer. Sometimes an accurate diagnosis requires a surgical biopsy, which removes a sample of tissue to identify if it’s cancer and even what type.

Depending on the type and location of cancer, surgery may also be a key treatment. Sometimes a tumor can be entirely removed. Other times a tumor may be reduced through surgery while also being treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation. Surgery may also be used to help reduce uncomfortable cancer symptoms.

Our board-certified surgeons include specialists in minimally invasive surgical options

Common cancer surgeries

Our cancer care program offers a full complement of cancer surgeries, including:

• Breast
• Colon/rectal
• Gynecological, including cervical, uterine and ovarian
• Lung, esophageal and thoracic
• Pancreas, liver and bile ducts
• Urological, including bladder, prostate, testicular and kidney, in partnership withOHSU Urology on our campus

Robot-assisted surgery

Many of our cancer patients benefit from our extensive minimally invasive surgical options using the da Vinci surgical robot. Using this advanced technology, our team can perform surgery through tiny button-sized incisions with incredible accuracy.

The robotic system doesn’t replace the surgeon. It’s a tool that enhances surgeon’s ability to perform complex surgery with less trauma to the patient. The surgeon makes all the decisions and directly controls each surgical movement.

The benefits of minimally invasive surgery are many and include:

• Greater surgical precision.
• Shorter hospital stays.
• Less pain and scarring.
• Lowered risk of infection and complications.
• Less blood loss and fewer transfusions.
• Faster recovery and return to daily activities.

For more information or referral assistance, please call the
Multi-Specialty Surgical Clinic at503-256-1575.