Surgical Oncology

Surgical Oncology Locations

Surgical Oncology at Trinity Health Michigan: Why Choose Us?

You can be confident in the surgical expertise of our team. Our surgical oncologists (surgeons who specialize in cancer surgery) perform many procedures, including minimally invasive and robotic techniques that are gentler on your body. Our experience gives you the best chances for excellent results.

Highlights of our program include:

• Expert team: Many of our surgeons completed additional training in the nation’s top cancer programs. We work alongside other specialists, such as medical and radiation oncologists, to develop a customized treatment plan.
   
• Seamless care: Our surgical oncologists work with other cancer experts, including medical and radiation oncologists. Your comprehensive team includes specialists in every area of cancer care, so you don’t have to travel far to receive exceptional — and complete — cancer treatment.
   
• Tissue-sparing treatments: Our surgeons perform the latest surgical methods that preserve surrounding nerves and tissue, such as nerve-sparing prostatectomy. We also use specialized colon cancer procedures that preserve your normal bowel function.
   
• Appropriate care: We focus on meeting your unique needs and avoiding unnecessary procedures and surgeries whenever possible. Our surgeons may suggest carefully monitoring (watching) slow-growing prostate cancers. We also recommend nonsurgical treatments when they are best for your situation.
   
• Nurse navigators: Experienced oncology nurses help you get the most out of treatment by coordinating the details of your care. Your nurse navigator helps you make appointments and answers your questions, so you’re always informed about your care.

Robotic Surgery for Cancer

Many of our surgeons have years of experience treating cancer using the da Vinci® Robotic Surgery System. The robotic arms work in ways human hands can’t, with an unmatched range of movement and high level of precision. With robotic-assisted surgery, you experience less blood loss, minimal disruption to healthy tissue and a quicker recovery.

We offer robotic surgery for:

• Colorectal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Gynecologic cancers
• Head and neck cancers
• Kidney and bladder cancers
• Lung cancer (ranking among the top lung cancer robotic surgery programs in Michigan)
• Prostate cancer

Types of Cancer Surgery We Provide

Surgery for cancer may be necessary at different points in your care journey. Our experienced surgical oncologists perform the full range of cancer surgeries, including:

• Biopsies: Our surgical oncologists often use a thin needle to take tissue biopsies (samples). This technique provides an accurate diagnosis quickly and without surgery, so you recover faster.
   
• Cancer staging: Our experts may use surgery to help determine cancer stage — how severe it is and whether it has spread. We often use robotic surgical technology to take tissue samples in hard-to-reach areas in the body.
   
• Cancer prevention surgery: We may remove precancerous areas to stop cancer from developing. Our surgeons can prevent esophageal cancer by using ablation to destroy the affected tissue. You may also choose to have surgery if you are at risk for cancer due to genetic mutations. Learn more about our genetic counseling.
   
• Cancer removal: We offer innovative, minimally invasive cancer surgery options to remove many types of tumors. For example, we may use transoral laser microsurgery for throat cancer. We access these tumors through your mouth to avoid incisions in the neck.
   
• Lung lobectomy: This treatment option is performed by our expert thoracic surgical teams. The robotic surgical procedure is typically performed when a patient suffers from lung conditions such as lung cancer, lung disease or infection.
   
• Repair after cancer treatment: Our surgical oncologists work with our experienced plastic surgeons to reconstruct areas after cancer treatment. After a lumpectomy or mastectomy, some people choose to have breast reconstruction. We explain all your reconstruction options and empower you to decide what’s best for you.
   
• Care for advanced cancer: Advanced-stage cancers can cause pain that’s difficult to control. Our surgeons remove cancer growths to relieve pain, such as with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Care After Cancer Surgery

Your care doesn’t stop after cancer surgery. We’re by your side throughout your care journey, making it easier to coordinate the services you need. If you have pain, we offer alternatives to pain medications, including assistance from a pain psychologist. Get more information about our supportive care and services.