If you have cancer, an expert in surgical oncology forms a vital part of your care team. Distinguished surgeon Mohammed Kalan, MD, FRCS, FACS, at the Washington Institute of Surgery in Chevy Chase, Maryland, works with cancer specialists to perform surgery for many forms of cancer, including gastrointestinal and endocrine tumors. To find out more, please call the Washington, DC, area office today or book an appointment online.
Surgical oncology is the diagnosis and treatment of cancer using surgical techniques. Abdominal cancers are a common problem, and their care requires a multidisciplinary approach. Most cancers benefit from a combination of surgery and medical treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The surgical element of the multidisciplinary approach is vital, but it can be challenging and requires particular skill, knowledge, and experience. Dr. Kalan at the Washington Institute of Surgery is an outstanding surgical oncologist who has advanced surgical skills, over 25 years of experience and uses a comprehensive evidence-based approach to the management of abdominal and gastrointestinal cancers.
Dr. Kalan works closely with similarly exceptional colleagues on multispeciality oncology teams at leading Washington, DC, hospitals, including Georgetown University Hospital, George Washington University Hospital, and the Johns Hopkins-affiliated Sibley Memorial Hospital.
Your surgical needs can vary according to what type of cancer you have, the severity and extent of your condition, and other concerns like general health and age.
If the cancer is in its early stages, surgical removal is often the best option. Cancers typically have four stages. In the first stage, the tumor is still small and contained within the original organ or tissue. In the second stage, cancer cells are starting to spread but haven’t reached any other organs.
At this point, surgical removal can erase all traces of the cancerous tissues, giving you a far better chance of survival. At stage three, the cancer is spreading into nearby organs. Surgery could still be an option, depending on your individual case. At stage four, cancer has spread to other parts of your body, and surgery is less likely to be a viable option.
Surgical oncology can still play a part, even when you reach the stage where the only treatment is palliative care. You might benefit from surgery to help with pain control, for example, or to relieve some of the other effects of your cancer.
There are numerous forms of surgical oncology that you might need, depending on what type of cancer you have. Dr. Kalan specializes in performing surgeries for:
Dr. Kalan uses minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques wherever possible to minimize tissue damage, minimize pain, and speed up healing. If the laparoscopic technique is unsuitable, open surgery will be offered.
To find out more about the expert surgical oncology services Dr. Kalan provides, please call the Washington Institute of Surgery today or book an appointment online.
