Pediatric surgical oncology is a vital medical specialty for the treatment of childhood cancer, utilizing various surgical techniques to address tumors.
What Is Oncology?
Oncology is the branch of medicine focused on the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer, which, in general terms, refers to the uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells in the body that can invade nearby tissues or spread to other areas.
Within this specialty, there are various subspecialties such as medical oncology, radiation oncology, and pediatric oncology, which specifically focuses on the care of children and adolescents who have developed some type of cancer.
In children, the types of cancer that may develop are usually different from those in adults. Among the most common are leukemia, brain or central nervous system tumors, neuroblastoma, bone tumors, and Wilms tumors. Each of these types, as well as the less common ones, may require a range of pediatric cancer treatments, including pediatric surgical oncology.
Oncologic surgery
Pediatric surgical oncologists use various surgical techniques depending on the purpose of the procedure or the nature of the tumor, including:
- Diagnostic surgery: One of the initial stages in pediatric cancer treatment. It involves obtaining a biopsy, where a small tumor sample is removed for laboratory analysis. While often performed through minimally invasive methods, in some cases open surgery is necessary to access the tumor.
- Cytoreductive surgery: Used when tumors are too large or in difficult-to-reach areas, making full removal in one procedure impossible. The goal is to shrink the tumor to make future treatment easier or more effective.
- Palliative surgery: When full tumor removal is not possible — for example, if the cancer has spread extensively — this surgery helps relieve symptoms, such as pressure on organs or intestinal blockages, to improve quality of life.
- Reconstructive surgery: Performed after significant tissue has been removed or if organ function or appearance is affected. The aim is to restore structure or function in the affected area.
- Curative surgery: Aims to remove the tumor from the body completely and is considered the primary treatment for certain conditions such as Wilms tumor or solid tumors.
Curative Surgery
For many childhood cancers, curative surgery is the primary treatment, particularly when the tumor is solid and has not spread.
In pediatric surgical oncology, for a procedure to be considered curative surgery, the entire tumor must be removed along with all visible cancer cells. Often, surrounding healthy tissue must also be removed during the procedure as a safety margin to ensure no malignant cells are left in the area.
Depending on the type of cancer, this may involve removing entire organs or partial organ resections. Frequently, nearby lymph nodes are also removed if there’s a high risk of lymphatic spread.
Thus, pediatric surgical oncology plays a crucial role from diagnosis to potential cure, as well as in symptom management for children with cancer.
Pediatric Surgical Oncologist Near Me
At the ABC Medical Center’s Pediatric Oncology Department, we have a team of highly trained pediatric surgical oncology specialists dedicated to providing comprehensive, personalized care for all surgical oncology needs.
Our pediatric surgical oncologists in Mexico City are committed to your well-being and use the latest technology and most advanced treatments to manage conditions such as surgical resection, palliative surgery, reconstructive surgery, and more.
Fuentes:
OPS, IMSS, MSD Manuals
