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BayCare offers several convenient health care services that help get care you need to get back to feeling better.
Surgery for Cancer
Surgery is one of the primary treatments for cancer and can be performed in conjunction with other treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or biologic therapy (immunotherapy). Surgery can have different goals, including:
- Cancer prevention – also called prophylactic surgery, preventive surgery may be performed if someone exhibits pre-cancers or is at an extremely high risk for developing cancer; for instance, women with a family history of breast cancer may opt to have both breasts removed (double mastectomy) before cancer can develop.
- Cancer diagnosis – diagnostic cancer surgery is done to test a piece of tissue for cancer; examples of diagnostic procedures include biopsies, endoscopies, laparoscopies and open laparotomies.
- Cancer staging – while blood tests and a physical exam can give an indication of what stage the cancer is at, surgery is usually necessary to determine exactly how far the cancer has spread; this is called surgical staging or pathological staging.
- Primary treatment – also referred to as curative surgery, this type of primary treatment is performed to remove cancer that is found in only one region of the body; chemotherapy or radiation may follow surgery to kill any residual cancer cells.
- Debulking – also called cytoreductive surgery, this type of procedure is aimed at removing some of a tumor when removal of the entire tumor would put nearby organs and tissues in too much danger of being damaged; the leftover tumor is usually treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
- Relieving symptoms or side effects – also called palliative surgery, this procedure is performed when cancer has become advanced and a tumor is causing extreme pain or disability for the patient; palliative surgery is aimed at improving quality of life, not curing the cancer.
- Restoration – restorative surgery may be performed after a primary surgical treatment or at the same time as the primary surgery; it aims to improve the appearance of a person who has undergone surgery. Breast reconstruction after a lumpectomy or mastectomy is the most common type of restorative cancer surgery.
Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, offering unprecedented accuracy and a shorter recovery period. Our surgeons use the da Vinci® Surgical System, the most advanced surgical system available.
Center of Excellence
We are proud to offer robotic surgery at many of our hospitals. Bartow Regional Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital-South have been accredited as Centers of Excellence by the Surgical Review Corporation for practicing the gold standard of evidence-based surgical care. This accreditation distinguishes our hospital from other by providing the highest quality of care to its patients and meeting nationally recognized standards.
Robotic surgery refers to the surgical system we use to perform the procedure. Our expert surgeons are controlling the procedure from beginning to end. You can feel confident that you are in capable, experienced hands at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South. Features of our robotic program include:
- Experience - Our surgeons and team undergo extensive training in order to use the robotic system effectively. That is why we are a Center of Excellence.
- Effective, safe surgery - Robotic surgery offers many benefits, including less pain and a more precise surgery.
- Personalized approach - Surgical care is not one-size-fits-all. We work with you to tailor a surgical plan that offers you the best result. Not every patient is a candidate for robotic surgery. Our team has extensive experience in all types of surgical procedures. We always have your well-being and long-term health in mind when creating your surgical plan.
Robotic Surgery vs. Traditional Surgery
In the past, traditional open surgery has been the most effective treatment for gynecological conditions. However, traditional surgery requires a large abdominal incision to access the area and can lead to a long, painful recovery. Due to incredible advances in robotic technology, patients can now benefit from far less invasive surgeries for the treatment of gynecological conditions. Surgeons may use a robotic procedure to treat many gynecologic conditions.
For a physician referral, call (855) 314-8346 or find a surgeon near you.
Robotic Surgery offered at many of our hospitals:
- Bartow Regional Medical Center
- Mease Countryside Hospital
- Morton Plant Hospital
- St. Anthony's Hospital
- St. Joseph's Hospital
- St. Joseph's Children's Hospital
- St. Joseph's Women's Hospital
- South Florida Baptist Hospital
- St. Joseph's Hospital-North
- St. Joseph's Hospital-South
- Winter Haven Hospital
Learn More About Surgical Oncology Services at BayCare
BayCare offers the latest advancements in medical technology when it comes to surgically treating your cancer. We offer a wide range of state-of-the-art procedures, including robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. To learn more, call (855) 314-8346 or find a doctor near you. We proudly serve individuals in Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Winter Haven, Riverview, New Port Richey and throughout the Tampa Bay area.