Stating that 11.5 million people are expected to lose their lives due to this disease in 2030, General Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Tom Hadi said that cancer treatment should be a multifaceted treatment in line with the knowledge of all the points and functions affected by the disease in the body and said, “In modern medicine, this treatment is a team work. The general surgeon or cancer surgeon is part of this team and success on behalf of the patient depends on the close and harmonious work of the members of this team. In addition to the oncology surgeon, the members of the team are a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, a psychiatrist and psychologist trained and experienced in oncology-cancer patients, a dietician and a physiotherapist with the same experience. In addition, the support of pathology and radiology specialists, nuclear medicine, infectious diseases, gastroenterology and other systemic specialists with sufficient experience in the field are indispensable elements in the treatment process.”
The term oncological surgeon; Although it only brings to mind surgeons who have developed themselves in the field of general surgery in the field of cancer, surgeons who are interested in the surgery of brain, lung, musculoskeletal system, kidney, upper respiratory tract, gynecology and skin cancers are also accepted as oncological surgeons. Op. Dr. Hadi said, “The important thing is that the cancer surgeon knows the characteristics and behaviors of both healthy and cancerous tissue, has sufficient equipment in terms of technique and experience, and knows that he is part of the team in treatment.”
“ONE MUST BE COMPETENT IN PREPARING PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY FOR TREATMENT”
Giving information about the types of cancer that can be treated by a general surgeon, Op. Dr. Hadi said, “Cancers of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small and large intestines and rectum from the digestive system organs, cancers of the liver, gallbladder and biliary tract, pancreatic gland, cancers of the abdominal wall, membranes and fatty tissues, cancers of the breast, thyroid and parathyroid glands as well as spleen and adrenal glands, as well as cancers of some skin and soft tissues located in the abdomen and trunk – sarcomas – can be treated in the field of general surgery. The most important step in the treatment of all cancers that present as a mass is to remove the mass with an acceptable clean tissue margin around it, if possible. Although the primary goal is always to cure the disease completely, the definition of success in cancer surgery is usually to keep the risk of regional recurrence of the disease below 10 percent and to increase the patient’s life expectancy to 5 years.”
“NUTRITION IS AN IMPORTANT WEAPON IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER”
Emphasizing that it is very important to strengthen the body before and during cancer treatment, Op. Dr. Hadi said, “Supplying the necessary vitamins and building blocks, adequate minerals, elements and even water and oxygen positively affect the human body. For this reason, the patient’s body is strengthened with support that starts one to two weeks before cancer surgery and can continue until the operation. Nutrition is an important weapon for success in the fight against cancer.”