Surgery, often the first phase of treatment

Surgery may be all that is needed to achieve a cure in cancer cases, but it also has a role to play in treatment beyond the initial biopsy and removal of a primary tumor. It can be used in conjunction with radiation and chemotherapy or to reduce pain caused by an otherwise inoperable tumor. It can even be used in prevention to remove pre-cancerous cells or lesions.

Guidance on treatment for gynecologic cancer or genitourinary / prostate cancers is also available.

A brief description of the surgical oncology group's current interests includes:

• David Scott Lind, MD, section chief for surgical oncology, believes computer-aided simulation can provide valuable clinical experience for students at a time when MCG's enrollment is outpacing clinical opportunities.
• Edward James Kruse, DO, focuses on pancreatic and liver cases. Though a cure is rare in pancreatic cases, he has seen some patients live for years after surgery.
• James McLoughlin, MD, is teaming with other investigators to take a high-tech look at the DNA in pancreatic tumors. Object: biomarkers to give patients and clinicians more effective diagnostic tools.
• Todd Merchen, MD, uses minimally invasive procedures whenever he can in the hepatic, biliary, pancreatic and transplant cases he treats. Compared to traditional open surgery, patients experience a quicker recovery due to less pain and blood loss, less time in the operating room and fewer complications — all of which result in less time away from home.

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