Patient Education & Resources

What is Surgical Oncology?
Surgical oncology is the surgical treatment of cancer. It is the goal of mmpc® Surgical Oncology division to provide timely, expert, compassionate care to our cancer patients.

Surgery is the main treatment for many types of cancer. In some instances, the surgeon can provide a cure by removing a tumor. In others, surgery can decrease a patient’s discomfort level or improve longevity.

The surgeon will explain the possible need for follow-up therapy after surgery, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation therapy.

What is Cancer?
Cancer is a group of several related diseases that start in cells. Typically, cells will grow and divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. This timely process helps to keep the body healthy. However, when this process doesn’t work properly, the cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed. These extra cells form a mass of tissue, called a growth or tumor. Tumors can be either benign or malignant.

• Benign tumors are not cancer. They can frequently be removed and, in many cases, do not come back. Cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. This type of tumor is seldom a risk to life.
• Malignant tumors are cancer. Cells in these tumors are abnormal and divide without control. They can attack and spread to nearby tissues and organs.