Surgical Oncology Program

Conditions We Treat with Surgical Oncology

TGH's surgical oncologists specialize in treating a broad range of cancers, including, but not limited to:

• Blood and other hematological cancers and non-malignant blood disorders
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal and Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers, which can include anal, esophageal, and intestinal disease
• Pancreatic cancer and other diseases of the Hepatobiliary system, such as liver, gall bladder, and the biliary tract (primary and metastatic)
• Peritoneal malignancies such as:
  • Genitourinary (GU) cancers, including prostate cancer, bladder, penile, and urological malignancies
• Gynecological cancers affecting the female reproductive system, which include cervical, endometrial, ovarian, uterine, and vaginal malignancies
• Lung cancer and other thoracic diseases, including small cell and non-small cell lung cancers
• Skin cancers (Melanoma and other cutaneous malignancies)
• Sarcomas and other soft tissue and bone cancers

Surgical Oncology Procedures at TGH

At Tampa General Hospital, we perform many types of cancer procedures, including minimally invasive surgery, and frequently use robotics during these procedures for enhanced precision.

Specialty Surgeons Perform Minimally Invasive Procedures

TGH surgeons specialize in multi-site or single-site robotic and laparoscopic procedures, often as the regional leader in the number of patients benefitting from these approaches:

• Colorectal surgeons perform more transanal minimally invasive surgeries (TAMIS) for rectal cancer than any other center in the Tampa Bay area
• Our surgeons use complex vascular reconstruction for locally advanced tumors
• TGH has one of the highest volume thoracic surgery programs in the country, with surgeons who have been fellowship-trained in robotic surgical techniques, performing hundreds of Da Vinci-assisted robotic procedures annually
• Hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeons offer minimally invasive options for liver and pancreatic tumors
• Gynecologic specialists perform complex procedures on women of all ages, with an emphasis on fertility preservation techniques
• Neurosurgeons perform laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), a minimally invasive technique that can heat and destroy targeted tissue in the brain, on patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors to reach otherwise inoperable lesions
• TGH head and neck surgeons perform complex reconstructive procedures, including microvascular surgeries, which reconstructs small blood vessels to restore form and function
• Breast and plastic surgeons at TGH were the first team on Florida's West Coast to perform the Resensation® surgical technique, which is designed to restore feeling as part of breast reconstruction surgery

Advanced Microsurgical Robotics at TGH Cancer Institute

TGH and USF Health have secured exclusive regional access to the Symani Surgical System, establishing the first robotic-assisted lymphatic microsurgery program in the Southeastern United States. This advanced technology enables our surgeons to work more accurately during microsurgeries, allowing them to address very small blood vessels and nerves. The system's enhanced controls and miniaturized robotic components represent a significant advance in microsurgical capabilities, particularly for complex lymphedema cases following cancer treatment.

The Symani system is designed to improve surgical outcomes through reduced trauma to blood vessels and less need for additional procedures. In addition, this technique expands our ability to perform complex microsurgical procedures across a broader range of cancer types.

One of the Few Centers to Offer HIPEC

TGH is one of the only centers in the state with expertise in delivering hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), which can benefit patients with mesothelioma, peritoneal disease, and other tumors that are usually difficult to remove.

HIPEC was developed to treat gynecologic cancers, and its use has expanded to include cancers of the appendix, peritoneum, and mesothelioma. HIPEC involves heating a chemotherapy solution to 107.6 degrees – about the temperature of a warm bath. TGH surgical oncologists deliver the HIPEC solution directly into the abdomen through a catheter. The liquid is then drained from the abdomen, and the incision is closed.

The procedure allows for more concentrated doses of chemotherapy while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body, and the heat aids in the absorption of the chemotherapy. As a result of an inflammatory response, this process helps destroy cancer cells and induces an immune response, which can enhance the overall anti-cancer effect of the treatment.

Surgical Oncology's Role in Testing & Diagnostics

Surgical oncology is an instrumental part of testing, diagnosing, and staging cancer through procedures such as biopsies. Whatever your diagnosis may be, a biopsy is a critically important part of the diagnostic process and will help inform your team on the best treatment plan.

In addition, once a patient has had a biopsy, they can elect to participate in Tampa General's Precision Medicine Biorepository, which is an opportunity to contribute to scientific advancements through participating in research conducted in a lab that can be applied to develop new treatments, diagnostics and prevention strategies that will ultimately improve public health.

Support Services

We know there's a lot more to cancer than just the actual treatment. With this in mind, we offer comprehensive support services to ensure that patients receive world-class care far beyond diagnosis and treatment.

Starting with our nurse navigator who will be with you every step of the way, our support services include financial assistance, genetic counseling, nutrition, oncology psychology, an outpatient rehabilitation program (including physical, occupational, speech, lymphedema, and biofeedback therapy), palliative care, patient advocacy and education, patient and caregiver support groups, social work, spiritual care, a survivorship program and financial assistance.

Our goal at TGH is to provide you with unparalleled clinical care and more.

Research & Clinical Trials

We further demonstrate our continued commitment to world-class care through active participation in clinical trials, which can provide our patients with access to advanced therapies and technologies.

To see how we are positively impacting patients, learn more about research and clinical trials at TGH.