SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
Overview
Surgical oncology is a cornerstone of cancer treatment, playing a critical role in the diagnosis, staging, and surgical removal of tumours. In women’s cancers such as breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancer, surgery is often the first and most definitive step in the treatment journey.
At Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre, surgical oncology goes beyond just removing cancer. It’s about precision-driven, organ-preserving, and function-sparing surgery, delivered through cutting-edge techniques like robotic surgery, minimally invasive approaches, and advanced intraoperative therapies. Each surgical plan is customised through collaboration with medical and radiation oncologists, ensuring every decision is part of a broader, patient-centred care continuum.
Our surgical oncologists are highly skilled and integral members of multidisciplinary tumour boards — working closely with pathologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, and reconstructive surgeons to deliver evidence-based, holistic cancer care.
Treatment Options
Our expert team offers a wide range of surgical therapies tailored to each patient’s cancer type, stage, and overall health.
Breast Surgery
Simple Mastectomy
A simple mastectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the entire breast tissue, typically including the nipple–areola complex, to treat or prevent breast cancer. It is most commonly recommended for women with early-stage breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or those at high genetic risk who opt for risk-reducing surgery.
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Modified Radical Mastectomy
Modified radical mastectomy involves the removal of the entire breast along with axillary lymph nodes (levels I and II). It is most often performed in patients with invasive breast cancer where lymph node involvement is suspected or confirmed. The procedure offers both disease control and important staging information that guides further treatment.
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Skin and Nipple Sparing Mastectomy
Skin-sparing and nipple-sparing mastectomies are advanced surgical options that remove breast tissue while preserving the external appearance of the breast. These procedures offer the same level of cancer control as a traditional mastectomy in appropriately selected patients, while enabling more natural and aesthetically refined breast reconstruction.
Endoscopy-Assisted Mastectomy
Endoscopy-assisted mastectomy is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to remove breast tissue through small, strategically placed incisions — often in hidden areas like the axilla (armpit). This approach is particularly well-suited for women who wish to avoid visible chest wall scars and prioritise cosmetic outcomes alongside cancer control.
Robotic-Assisted Mastectomy
Robotic-assisted mastectomy is a state-of-the-art surgical technique that combines the precision of minimally invasive surgery with advanced robotic technology. It allows the removal of breast tissue through small, well-concealed incisions, offering improved visualisation for the surgeon and excellent cosmetic results for the patient.
Prophylactic Mastectomy
Prophylactic mastectomy (or risk-reducing mastectomy) is a preventive surgery to remove one or both breasts in individuals at significantly elevated risk of developing breast cancer. This procedure is not performed to treat cancer, but to reduce the chance of developing it in the future.
Remote-Incision Lumpectomy
Remote-Incision Lumpectomy is an advanced form of breast-conserving surgery for women with early-stage breast cancer. Unlike traditional lumpectomy, which involves an incision directly over the tumour, RIL removes the tumour through a discreet, hidden incision — often along the inframammary fold or around the areola. This technique preserves the natural appearance of the breast without compromising oncologic safety.
Breast Conservation Surgery After Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy
Neoadjuvant systemic therapy — typically chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormonal therapy given before surgery — is often used to shrink tumours in breast cancer. For many women, this treatment transforms what would have required a mastectomy into an opportunity for breast conservation.
Oncoplastic Breast Surgery
Oncoplastic breast surgery combines the principles of cancer surgery with plastic surgery techniques to remove the tumour while preserving or restoring the breast’s natural shape. It allows more women — including those with larger tumours or challenging tumour locations — to opt for breast conservation with confidence.
Axillary Dissection
Axillary dissection is a surgical procedure to remove lymph nodes from the underarm (axilla) on the same side as breast cancer. It is performed to determine the extent of cancer spread and to prevent further progression.
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) is a minimally invasive procedure used to determine whether breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. By identifying and removing only the first few nodes likely to harbour cancer (known as sentinel nodes), this technique allows for accurate staging without the risks of full axillary dissection.
Surgery for Impalpable Breast Lesions
Impalpable breast lesions are abnormalities detected on imaging that cannot be felt during a physical examination. These may include early cancers, atypical hyperplasia, or high-risk lesions that require surgical removal for diagnosis or treatment.
Surgery for Benign Breast Lesions
Not all breast symptoms or lumps are cancerous. In fact, benign breast conditions are common and can arise from hormonal changes, developmental abnormalities, infections, or structural issues within the ducts or lobules. While many of these are harmless and may only require observation, surgery may be recommended when the lesion causes discomfort, has atypical features, or carries a small risk of future complications.
Placement of Vascular Access Devices (Chemoport)
For patients undergoing long-term chemotherapy, repeated needle pricks can cause significant discomfort and damage to peripheral veins. A chemoport, or Totally Implantable Venous Access Device (TIVAD), provides a safe, durable, and reliable alternative. Once placed, it allows medications, fluids, and blood products to be administered directly into a central vein.
Gynecological Surgery
Robotic-Assisted Gynecological Surgeries
Surgical care for gynecological cancers has advanced dramatically in recent years. One of the most significant innovations is robotic-assisted surgery, a minimally invasive technique that combines the skills of your surgeon with the precision of robotic technology.
Debulking (cytoreductive) Surgery
Debulking surgery, also known as cytoreductive surgery, is a cornerstone of treatment for advanced gynecologic cancers, especially ovarian cancer. Its goal is to surgically remove as much of the visible tumor as possible to enhance the effectiveness of subsequent therapies like chemotherapy.
Ultra-Radical Debulking Surgery
Ultra-Radical Debulking Surgery is an advanced and highly specialised surgical procedure used in the treatment of advanced-stage ovarian cancer and other gynecological malignancies that have extensively spread within the abdominal cavity. The primary goal of this surgery is to remove all visible cancer, even when it involves multiple organs or deep-seated tumour deposits.
Pelvic Exenteration
Pelvic exenteration is a highly complex surgical procedure performed for certain advanced or recurrent gynecological cancers (most commonly cervical, vaginal, vulvar, or endometrial cancers) when the disease is confined to the pelvis but cannot be controlled by radiation or chemotherapy alone. It involves the removal of all affected pelvic organs (bladder, urethra, rectum, anus, and may also include removal of reproductive organs) to achieve complete cancer clearance.
Radical Hysterectomy
A radical hysterectomy is a surgical procedure used to treat early-stage cervical cancer and certain other gynecological cancers. It involves removal of the uterus, cervix, the upper part of the vagina, along with pelvic lymph nodes. Unlike a simple hysterectomy, this procedure is more extensive and is typically done when cancer has spread beyond the cervix but remains confined to the pelvis.
Trachelectomy (Vaginal and Abdominal)
Trachelectomy is a specialised surgical procedure that involves the removal of the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina) while preserving the uterus. It is most often performed in early-stage cervical cancer in women who wish to retain their ability to have children. There are two main surgical approaches: vaginal trachelectomy and abdominal trachelectomy.
HIPEC
HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) is a highly specialised procedure used to treat peritoneal surface malignancies (cancers that spread to the lining of the abdominal cavity). It involves a two-step process: cytoreductive surgery to remove all visible tumour deposits, followed by the circulation of heated chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity.
PIPAC
PIPAC (Pressurised IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy) is an innovative, minimally invasive treatment for patients with peritoneal metastases. It is most commonly used in recurrent or chemoresistant select gynecological cancers. PIPAC administers chemotherapy directly to the affected area in the form of a pressurised aerosol mist, allowing for better distribution and tissue penetration.
LEEP
Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) is a safe and effective outpatient procedure used to remove abnormal or pre-cancerous cells from the cervix (the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina). It is often recommended when a Pap smear reveals CIN (Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia), which are changes in cervical cells that could progress to cancer over time. LEEP is both diagnostic and therapeutic.
Fertility-Preserving Gynecological Surgery
Fertility-preserving gynecological surgery offers hope and choice to young women diagnosed with early-stage cancers of the reproductive system. It is designed to treat cancer effectively without removing the uterus or ovaries, so that future childbearing remains a possibility.
Robotic & Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery, are redefining how cancer is treated across various specialties. These advanced approaches enable surgeons to operate with enhanced precision, while patients benefit from smaller incisions, faster healing, and reduced post-operative discomfort. Whether for diagnostic procedures, tumour removal, or complex reconstructions, these technologies have become a cornerstone of modern oncologic surgery.
Surgical Oncology in Women’s Cancers
In women’s cancers, surgery is often the first line of treatment — whether to remove the tumour, evaluate lymph nodes, or reduce tumour burden before additional therapies. At Apollo Athenaa, each surgical plan is personalised based on cancer type, stage, and the patient’s life goals.
We routinely perform surgeries for:
- Breast cancer: All forms of mastectomy, breast-conserving surgery, and lymph node management.
- Ovarian cancer: Staging surgeries, debulking procedures, and HIPEC for advanced cases.
- Cervical and endometrial cancer: Minimally invasive, fertility-preserving, and nerve-sparing options.
- Rare tumours: Vulvar and vaginal cancers managed through advanced surgical techniques.
Every surgery is designed to be part of a larger plan — integrated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatments and guided by a commitment to preserve function, dignity, and overall well-being.
Continuum of Care
Surgical oncology is just one step in a carefully orchestrated treatment pathway. At Apollo Athenaa, care begins with diagnosis and staging, followed by surgery, rehabilitation, and — where needed — chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
Post-surgical support includes:
- Pain management
- Physiotherapy
- Nutrition and lifestyle guidance
- Bone and menopausal health
- Psychological counselling
- Reconstructive surgery
- Fertility consultations
Throughout your journey, our multidisciplinary team ensures that no woman walks through cancer alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the role of a surgical oncologist in cancer care?
A surgical oncologist specialises in the surgical management of cancer. They perform biopsies for diagnosis, tumour removal for treatment, and surgeries to alleviate symptoms in advanced cases. They also work closely with medical and radiation oncologists as part of a multidisciplinary team.
2. How do I know if surgery is the right option for my cancer?
Surgical decisions depend on the type, location, and stage of cancer, as well as your overall health. The tumor board (a team of specialists) will determine whether surgery is part of your treatment plan.
3. What are the risks of cancer surgery?
All surgeries carry some risk such as bleeding, infection, delayed healing, or complications related to anesthesia. Your surgical team will explain specific risks based on the procedure being performed.
4. Will I need other treatments in addition to surgery?
Yes, many patients receive chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted therapies before or after surgery to maximize effectiveness and prevent recurrence.
5. How long will recovery take after cancer surgery?
Recovery varies by procedure — from a few days for minimally invasive surgeries to several weeks for major operations. Your team will give you a personalized recovery plan.
6. Can surgery cure my cancer?
In early-stage cancers, surgery can be curative. In advanced cases, it may reduce tumor burden, improve quality of life, or work alongside other treatments for disease control.
7. Will the surgery affect my fertility or hormonal balance?
It depends on the procedure. Some gynecological surgeries may affect fertility or hormone levels. Fertility preservation and hormonal therapy options are discussed before treatment.
8. What support is available after surgery?
You’ll have access to pain management, physiotherapy, nutrition counselling, psychological support, and, where needed, stoma care or reconstructive planning.
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