Author:
Bloomston Mark,Tanabe Kenneth K.,Pollock Raphael E.,Morton Donald L.
Abstract
Overview
The discipline of surgical oncology describes a surgical super specialty to which a board certification process is now attached in the United States. A cognitive as well as technical surgical focus, the surgical oncologist is an oncology specialist who uses surgery as his or her mainstay therapeutic modality in treating tumor problems. As such, the surgical oncologist has a thorough grounding in the natural history of solid malignancy, extensive experience in tumor biopsy and staging approaches, the knowledge needed to orchestrate a multidisciplinary solid tumor treatment program, and the commitment, via vigorous personal participation, in the many relevant research opportunities by which we will advance comprehensive care of the cancer patient.