What does surgical oncology entail?

Surgical oncology consists of several procedures to remove benign and malignant cancer.

Dr van der Westhuizen demonstrates her expertise in the removal of cancer in the breasts, which consists of the following:

• Lumpectomy is the surgical dissection of cancerous tissue from the breasts. Dr van der Westhuizen administers general anaesthesia to keep her patient sedated throughout the procedure. But, first, she creates an incision over the tumour to remove the cancerous tissue along with the healthier edges (surgical margin) for biopsy.
• Mastectomy is the surgical removal of most cancerous breast tissue and lymph nodes. A mastectomy involves the removal of a single breast or both, depending on how far the cancer has spread. Again, Dr van der Westhuizen administers a general anaesthetic for the patient to sleep peacefully throughout the procedure. An incision is created around the breast to prepare for tissue removal. A margin of tissue is also removed in case cancer has spread. However, a biopsy can confirm the spread of the disease.
• Lymph node dissection can be categorised into two procedures: a sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection. A sentinel node biopsy involves the removal of the first few lymph nodes that contain cancer. A biopsy can tell whether cancer has drained into the lymph nodes. However, an axillary lymph node dissection involves the surgical removal of several lymph nodes in the armpit to test for cancer.

Dr van der Westhuizen also treats cancer affecting the body's soft tissue, such as:

• A lipoma is removed using a curette from a 3-4mm incision. The curette helps remove the tumour through the incision using minimal force. Afterwards, dressing is placed over the area to reduce the risk of a hematoma.

In addition, she specialises in the treatment of the following oncological conditions:

• A sebaceous cyst can be removed through a minimal/punch excision. A sebaceous cyst is a slow-developing bump that forms beneath the skin. A minimally invasive procedure involves removing the cyst through a tiny cut. Alternatively, a cookie-shaped scalpel is used to remove the cyst and a healthy tissue margin.
• Sarcoma refers to cancer in the bone and soft tissue. Certain sarcomas, usually low-level ones, can be treated with surgery. Those sarcomas larger than 5cm can be removed and treated with radiation therapy. Sometimes, radiation therapy or chemotherapy can help shrink the tumour before surgery so that it can be removed easily.
• Melanoma is a skin cancer that forms in the skin cells responsible for the secretion of melanin. Melanin is a pigment that adds colour to the skin. Wide local excision is a procedure to remove melanoma and healthy surrounding tissue.