Cancer surgery always involves removing the tumor, some of the surrounding tissue, and oftentimes the lymph nodes. However, that doesn’t mean that all cancer surgeries are the same. As a specialist in surgical oncology, Peter Beitsch, MD, at Dallas Surgical Group has extensive experience performing many different types of cancer surgery, so he can choose the procedure that’s optimal for the type and stage of your cancer. If you have questions about cancer surgery, call the office in Dallas or schedule an appointment online.
Dr. Beitsch specializes in breast cancer surgery, melanoma, and other complex skin cancers so he’s up to date with the most innovative procedures. After your cancer is diagnosed and staged, he discusses the options that are best for you depending on the size and type of cancer and your overall health and age. These are a few of the possibilities:
When you have a lumpectomy, Dr. Beitsch removes the smallest amount of tissue possible while still ensuring that all the cancer is eliminated. A lumpectomy is often followed by radiation therapy.
Oncoplastic surgery consists of a lumpectomy that’s immediately followed by plastic surgery to restore your breast. In addition to rebuilding the breast from which cancer was removed, the opposite breast also undergoes a breast reduction or lift so both breasts are the same shape and size.
This is surgery to remove your entire breast, a procedure that’s the best option when the cancer has spread through the breast. Dr. Beitsch may also perform a prophylactic mastectomy for women who have genetic testing and learn they have a high risk for cancer.
Dr. Beitsch may be able to remove your breast tissue while keeping the skin, nipple, and areola intact. Then you can immediately undergo reconstructive surgery using the preserved structures and implants.
Wide excision and sentinel node biopsy
Melanoma and many other rare skin cancers require a wide excision around the cancer and mapping/removing the lymph nodes that drain that patch of skin.
