What is Surgical Oncology?

Surgical oncology is the use of surgery to diagnose or treat cancer, or to manage the symptoms of cancer. The Egyptians pioneered the treatment of cancer using surgery, removing breast tumors as early as the seventh century. These days, surgical oncology is much more complex and effective. Most cancer treatments involve surgery, and in some cases it is the only treatment needed.

Surgical oncologists work together with medical oncologists and radiation oncologists to provide care for cancer patients. Along with medical oncologists, surgical oncologists tend to be the primary providers of cancer treatment. Almost every cancer patient will have a medical or surgical oncologist who is in charge of managing their treatment and making decisions about their care.

The specialized knowledge of a surgical oncologist is less about surgical techniques (which may be very similar to techniques used by a general surgeon) and more about an understanding of cancer itself. Surgical oncologists have an advanced knowledge of how cancer presents and changes, and they know the best way to use surgery to treat cancer.

Surgical oncology is a rapidly advancing specialty, and many new techniques and procedures have been developed in recent years, including minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery. A surgical oncologist is able to safely wield these complicated techniques to remove tumors from the body.

What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty providing surgical care for the mouth and jaw. It is unusual in that it is a hybrid specialty combining the professional education of both dentists and medical doctors. The path to becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, or simply ‘oral surgeon,’ begins with graduating from dental school. The dentist then attends a surgical residency in a hospital, learning general surgical techniques alongside other physicians.

While many routine oral issues can be treated by a dentist, there are some that require specialized surgical care. Some of the procedures performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons include:

• Removing wisdom teeth
• Dental implants
• Corrective surgery for facial deformities
• Repair of facial trauma
• Cleft lip or cleft palate surgery
• TMJ surgery
• Orthognathic surgery (jaw alignment)
• Sleep apnea surgery

Some of these procedures are also performed by otolaryngologists or ENTs. There is quite a bit of overlap between the two specialties, and in many cases both will be qualified to perform a specific surgery. In general, oral surgeons are more likely to perform surgeries related to the mouth and jaw, such as wisdom tooth removal or TMJ surgery; whereas ENTs are more likely to handle cancers. However, areas of specialization are truly dependent on the individual physician.

One unusually convenient fact about oral and maxillofacial surgeons is that they are highly trained in the use of sedation and anesthesia, more so than any other doctors except anesthesiologists. This means that they are able to perform surgeries such as the removal of wisdom teeth on an outpatient basis in their office, without the need for an additional anesthesiologist on staff.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons combine surgical expertise with their knowledge of dentistry to provide serious care for the structures of the jaw and face.

What is Nephrology?

Nephrology is the medical specialty that deals with diseases of the kidneys. Nephrologists deal with illnesses that are caused by lowered kidney function, such as certain types of hypertension. They also treat illnesses that harm the kidneys, such as acute kidney disease. Other specific diseases and disorders that are treated by a nephrologist include:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Acute renal failure
• Blood or protein in the urine (hematuria or proteinuria)
• Kidney stones
• Nephritis, or inflammation of the kidneys

Pediatric nephrologists specialize in kidney diseases and disorders affecting infants and children. They may see children for inherited kidney diseases, recurring urinary tract infections, or high blood pressure, among other problems.

A nephrologist may use lab tests, ultrasound, and biopsies to diagnose the problem for their patients. They might prescribe treatments ranging from diet changes to dialysis to transplants. Most kidney problems are chronic, meaning that they last for a long time. Thus, nephrologists get to know their patients well and may treat them for many years.