To reduce risk
Surgery can be used to reduce the risk or "chance" of cancer in people at high risk of developing certain types of cancer. Women may choose to have breast or ovarian tissue removed if they are at high risk for these cancers.

To diagnose
In order to diagnose cancer, a piece of the tissue must be studied. There are different ways to obtain this piece of tissue or biopsy. The biopsy is sent to the Pathology Department to be studied and identified. UI Hospitals and Clinics has extensive pathology services to diagnose even the most rare cancers.

To treat
Surgery can be an effective treatment for cancer. Surgery is used to remove the tumor along with a healthy margin of tissue. In addition to the tumor, lymph nodes or blood vessels close to the tumor will be removed. This helps to identify the extent of the cancer.

To reconstruct
Sometimes cancer surgery changes how the body looks. In these cases, reconstructive surgery may be done to improve how a person looks after the cancer is removed.

Many times surgery will be done along with other types of treatment. Your doctor can tell you what types of treatment you need for your cancer.

Cancer surgery specialties at UI Hospitals and Clinics:
At the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, highly skilled surgeons specialize in the surgical treatment of cancer, including:

• Brain and Spinal Cord Cancer Surgery
• Breast Cancer Surgery
• Chest and Lung Cancer surgery
• Colorectal Cancer Surgery
• Endocrine Cancer Surgery
• Eye Cancer Surgery
• Gynecology Cancer Surgery
• Head and Neck Cancer Surgery
• Orthopaedic Cancer Surgery
• Pediatric Cancer Surgery
• Urologic Cancer Surgery

Chemotherapy and You

Radiation and You

Biological Therapies for Cancer: Questions and Answers

Angiogenesis Inhibitors in the Treatment of Cancer: Questions and Answers

Bone Marrow Transplantation and Peripheral Blood Stem Transplantation: Questions and Answers

Gene Therapy for Cancer