How to Choose a Surgical Oncologist
‘Surgical oncologist’ is a somewhat slippery term. To begin with, operations to treat cancer are not only limited to surgical oncologists—general surgeons can also perform many of these procedures. Surgical oncologists, however, have more specialized knowledge and have been through additional extensive training in managing malignant tumors. In many cases, a true surgical oncologist is the best qualified—but how do you go about finding one?
Training and Certification
There are currently only 14 surgical oncology fellowship training centers in the US that have been approved by the Society of Surgical Oncology. Each program admits a limited number of surgeons each year, and the work is both rigorous and competitive. Because most surgical oncologists complete a residency in general surgery before undergoing an oncology-specific fellowship, a certified surgical oncologist has credentials aplenty to speak for him or herself.
With the importance of certification and training in mind, note that the title of surgical oncologist isn’t necessarily the only thing to look out for. There are several common surgical procedures for cancer patients that general surgeons are perfectly adept for. So how do you distinguish which type of surgeon to choose?
Surgical Experience
This is the part of the equation where a surgeon’s medical experience comes into play. A 2008 issue of the Medical Care journal reports that experience is directly linked to lower costs. High-volume surgeons who repeatedly perform and perfect surgical operations seem to be learning by practice, resulting in less post-operation care and treatment for the patient. Finding an experienced surgeon is not only about safety and peace of mind when you are in the operating room, but also about the very practical risk to your wallet.
In With the New
...doesn’t mean out with the old. Many patients go into their surgeon search with an idea that those who perform the newest, most technologically sophisticated procedures are the best ones for the job. It’s best to take a step back, however, and consider the actual benefits of cutting-edge cancer surgery. While the less invasive laparoscopic cancer surgeries and robot-assisted operations, that many surgical centers offer, sound like the best option, there is not necessarily a correlation between the patient’s eventual well-being and the age of the techniques being used. Additionally, many new procedures in surgical oncology add big numbers to your bill. Don’t get carried away by the tech-savvy trend—sometimes older simply means dependable and time-tested.
Digging for Dirt
Now that you know how to gauge a surgeon’s skill, it’s time to go out and find a few surgeons to evaluate. Word of mouth is one of the most commonly used and trustworthy tools to begin searching for a surgical oncologist—ask friends, family members, coworkers, physicians, and fellow cancer patients you see in the clinic. Their opinions will give you an idea of more than just the surgeon’s technical skill, which you can research through other avenues. A personal recommendation is a testament to a surgeon’s approachability and bedside manner.
