Surgery

Surgery is often the first diagnostic or treatment option for cancer, and may be used in combination with either radiation therapy or chemotherapy. When needed, our dedicated, board-certified surgeons represent many specialties and work as a team with your primary care physician and oncologist to provide the best diagnostic and treatment options for your type of cancer.

What is surgical oncology?

According to Dr. Malon, “Surgical oncology refers to that part of a patient’s treatment that involves surgery. Oncology means that we are treating patients with cancer.  Surgery means a surgical procedure or operation is being performed.” Surgery is included as part of both curative treatment (intent to cure the disease) and palliative treatment (making the patient’s symptoms better).  Palliative treatment is used when a patient’s cancer cannot be cured and therefore surgery can be used to alleviate pain or to lessen other symptoms. 

“The goal of the surgical oncologist here at Middlesex Hospital is to provide the best care for our patients in the best possible setting with the highest possible quality.” – Dr. Malon, March 2010