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Surgical and Minimally Invasive Services

After a cancer diagnosis, a surgeon will often surgically remove the tumor and nearby affected tissue during an operation. Surgery is used as an effective treatment for many types of cancer today. At Dignity Health – Cancer Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, our surgeons have extensive knowledge of cancer treatment surgical techniques, and are focused on treating you with humankindness from day one.

When Are Surgical and Minimally Invasive Services Needed

During cancer treatment you may require inpatient surgery and need to stay in the hospital overnight or longer to recover. Or you may need an outpatient surgery that is done during the day and allows you to return home to heal following the procedure. There are a number of reasons to have surgery in the treatment of cancer. They include to:

  • Remove all, a part of the cancer, or suspicious tissue
  • Remove a part of the tumor to help other treatments be more effective
  • Restore the body’s appearance or function
  • Relieve side effects, pain or pressure

We have a great team with a multidisciplinary approach…offering patients comprehensive care for managing their cancer treatment and treatment of the patient as a whole.”

Jasmine Huang, MD
Thoracic Surgeon

Patient Testimonials

“Having a doctor like Dr. Wendt was really a blessing for me, my husband, and for our family.”

“Seven months after my surgery I ran a 10K, and I wouldn’t have been able to do any of that if it wasn’t for them (Dignity Health – Cancer Institute at St. Joseph’s)”

“The entire team that has been taking care of me since diagnosis has blown me away – they are so super caring.”

Types of Surgical and Minimally Invasive Services

  • Diagnostic surgical biopsy
    • Incisional biopsy – removal of a piece of the suspicious area to study
    • Excisional biopsy – removal of the whole suspicious area, such as a mole or a lump
  • Staging surgery
  • Primary surgery or tumor removal
  • Conventional surgery
  • Debulking
  • Palliative surgery
  • Reconstruction
  • Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries
    • Laparoscopic surgery
    • Mediastinoscopy and thoracoscopy
    • Laser surgery
    • Cryosurgery
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Patients of Dignity Health – Cancer Institute at St. Joseph’s know they are receiving precision medicine from a multidisciplinary team of experienced cancer experts.

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