Surgical oncology: possibilities and roles of multimodal treatment, follow-up schemes and prognosis of cancer
1. Big picture
Cancer treatment is often multimodal, meaning that surgery is combined with one or more of: radiotherapy, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, interventional radiology, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and palliative/supportive care. Many patients receive combined treatment rather than one isolated modality, and the choice depends on tumour type, stage, biology, patient fitness, and treatment aim. ([Cancer.gov][1])
The surgical oncologist must answer:
What is the cancer?
How far has it spread?
Is it resectable?
Is the patient operable?
Is the aim curative, neoadjuvant, adjuvant, palliative, or supportive?
What follow-up is needed after treatment?
What is the prognosis?
The exam logic is:
Histology → staging → multidisciplinary decision → multimodal plan → surgery if useful → pathology review → adjuvant therapy if indicated → surveillance and recurrence management.
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