Facing a cancer diagnosis is a life-altering event. Fortunately, advancements in medicine offer new options for treatment. One such innovation is laparoscopic oncology surgery, a minimally invasive approach offering significant benefits for patients.
In this blog, we will explore the advantages of laparoscopic surgery in cancer treatment and how it delivers maximum results with minimal invasiveness.
What is Laparoscopic Surgical Oncology?
Laparoscopic surgical oncology refers to minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques in treating cancerous tumors. The procedure is performed through small abdominal incisions, enabling the surgeon to see and operate on the cancerous tissue.
Laparoscopic surgery offers many benefits compared to traditional open surgery, including reduced pain, shorter recovery time, and smaller scars.
How is Laparoscopic Oncology Surgery Performed?
Laparoscopic oncology surgery is performed under anesthesia to alleviate your discomfort and pain.
The oncology surgeon makes several small incisions on the abdomen and inserts a laparoscope, which is a long, thin instrument equipped with a camera and light on the end, into one of the incisions to allow the surgeon to see the surgical site.
Through the other remaining incisions, the onco surgeon uses small surgical instruments to remove the cancerous portion and the surrounding tissue.
This surgical method minimizes patient discomfort, an early recovery, and reduces blood loss.
What are the Advantages of Laparoscopic Oncology Surgery?
There are many benefits to laparoscopic oncology surgery, which include:
1. Minimally Invasive and Painless Treatment
Minimally invasive laparoscopic oncology surgery tends to be less painful post-operatively compared to traditional open surgery. The smaller incisions result in minimal trauma to the surrounding tissues, reducing pain and discomfort for patients during recovery.
As a result, patients often experience less post-operative pain and require less pain medication, contributing to a more comfortable recovery process.
2. Minor Scars and Less Blood Loss
In laparoscopic oncology surgery, the use of small incisions results in tiny scars, barely noticeable once healed. This aspect is not only advantageous from a cosmetic standpoint but also reflects the reduced trauma to the body during the surgical procedure.
Moreover, the minimally invasive nature of laparoscopic surgery leads to less internal scarring compared to traditional open surgery.
3. Short Recovery Time
Laparoscopic oncology surgery often allows patients to resume their regular activities, including work and daily routines, within 2 to 3 weeks post-procedure. This quicker recovery time compared to traditional open surgery is one of the significant advantages of laparoscopic techniques.
Additionally, the shorter hospital stay associated with laparoscopic surgery, typically 2 to 3 days compared to longer stays for open surgery, contributes to faster recovery and reduces hospitalization costs.
4. Reduced Risk of Infections
The smaller incisions used in laparoscopic surgery reduce the risk of infection in the surgical area.
However, while the risk of infection is lower when compared to open surgery, it’s still crucial for patients to take precautions to reduce the risk further.
This includes following the post-operative care, such as keeping the sites of incision clean and dry, avoiding activities that could strain the incisions, and taking prescribed antibiotics if necessary.
Consult Dr. Nikolas Valsamidis – Pioneer In Laparoscopic Surgery
Dr. Nikolas Valsamidis is a renowned and one of the best laparoscopic surgeons in Dubai, with over 25 years of experience. His extensive knowledge and expertise have helped countless patients achieve their health goals through minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries.
His commitment to remaining at the forefront of medical advancements ensures that his patients benefit from the most advanced laparoscopic treatments and techniques.
Schedule an appointment today.
FAQ
Q 1. What is the meaning of oncology surgery?
Ans 1. Oncology surgery is the field of cancer care that focuses on surgical procedures to diagnose, stage, and treat cancer and to address some cancer-related symptoms.
Q 2. What are the most common surgical oncology procedures?
Ans 2. There are two common surgical oncology procedures- open and laparoscopic surgery.
In open surgery, the surgical oncologist creates a large incision, usually to remove all or a portion of a tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue, while in laparoscopic surgery, he makes a few small incisions and inserts a laparoscope to excise the cancerous portion.
Q 3. What is cancer surgery called?
Ans 3. Cancer surgery is also known as oncology surgery. It is an operation or procedure to remove a tumor from the body.
Q 4. What is laparoscopic surgery for cancer?
Ans 4. Laparoscopic surgery for cancer is a minimally invasive surgery utilized to treat various cancer types. The surgery is performed through several small abdominal incisions, which allows the surgeon to see and operate on the cancerous tissue.
Q 5. What are the three types of oncology?
Ans 5. In oncology, there are 3 major areas based on treatments: medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology.
Q 6. Can laparoscopy detect cancer?
Ans 6. Yes, laparoscopy can be used to detect certain types of cancer, particularly those affecting the abdominal or pelvic organs. During the procedure, a laparoscope is inserted through small incisions, enabling surgeons to examine suspicious areas, obtain biopsies, and assess the extent of cancer spread.
Q 7. What kind of tumor can be removed during laparoscopy?
Ans 7. Various types of tumors can be removed during laparoscopy, including those affecting the abdominal organs such as the liver, pancreas, colon, stomach, ovaries, uterus, and bladder. Laparoscopic techniques are also utilized to remove certain types of tumors in other areas of the body, depending on their location and accessibility.
Q 8. Is laparoscopy high risk surgery?
Ans 8. Laparoscopy is generally viewed as a low-risk surgical procedure. However, like any surgery, it carries some risks, including infection, bleeding, injury to surrounding organs, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
