Surgical Therapies
Exceptional Surgical Care
Our surgeons performed more than 9,400 cancer surgeries in 2024 alone, which means you get unmatched expertise when you come to the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute. This experience, combined with advanced technologies, ensures we deliver outstanding outcomes — from your first visit through treatment and into survivorship.
Expertise You Can Trust
When it comes to cancer surgery, experience matters. Studies show that hospitals performing higher volumes of surgeries consistently achieve better outcomes. That’s just one reason the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute is a trusted choice for cancer surgery.
From your first consultation through recovery, our highly skilled team is by your side. We specialize in innovative surgical techniques, including robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, and other minimally invasive procedures, all designed to promote faster recovery and help you return to daily life sooner.
Your care goes beyond the operating room. Our multidisciplinary approach brings together oncologists, anesthesiologists, physical therapists, dietitians, and other experts who collaborate to guide your recovery. Whether you need a minimally invasive procedure or a more complex surgery, you’re never just another patient — you’re part of a community dedicated to helping you heal and thrive.
Advanced Cancer Surgery
Our surgical oncology program offers leading-edge techniques, including robotic-assisted and laparoscopic surgeries, to ensure precise treatment, faster recovery, and better outcomes. Here are just some of the surgical procedures we offer:
Other surgical oncology options
We offer advanced breast surgeries that prioritize the outcomes of your cancer treatment and cosmetic considerations, from preserving the breast’s natural appearance to innovative reconstructive options.
Highly skilled, board-certified colorectal surgeons offer innovative and advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive robotic and laparoscopic procedures, as well as sphincter-preserving surgeries that help maintain normal bowel function.
We offer innovative surgical options for gastrointestinal cancer, designed to provide the best possible outcome with the least disruption to your life--from minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic techniques to highly specialized options like HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) and TAMIS (transanal minimally invasive surgery).
When it comes to gynecologic cancer surgery, we believe in case that’s both innovative and deeply person. Our highly skilled surgeons are experts in a range of advanced techniques, including minimally invasive robotic-assisted procedures. Whenever possible, we use these approaches to minimize incisions, reduce pain and support faster recovery.
Our surgical approach is tailored to your specific needs, using the latest techniques to remove cancer while preserving your quality of life. Minimally invasive procedures may allow for faster recovery, while advanced reconstructive techniques help restore form and function when more complex surgery is required.
From a small excision to more complex surgery with reconstruction, our world-class oncology surgeons use advanced techniques to remove skin cancer and melanoma while preserving as much healthy skin as possible.
The brain, spine, and nervous system work together to control every part of your life. When cancer affects this complex system, you need expert care that treats not just the disease, but your whole person. Our nationally recognized neurosurgeons bring precision, innovation, and minimally invasive techniques to create a care plan focused on your unique needs.
Surgery for bone and soft tissue sarcomas is more than just a treatment – it’s a step toward recovery and renewed health. We specialize in advanced surgical techniques tailored to your unique diagnosis.
Thoracic surgery requires specialized expertise in both the complex anatomical region within the chest cavity and highly sophisticated surgical technology. Be confident knowing your surgeon is an expert in advanced technologies and minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat lung and other thoracic cancers.
Urologic cancer surgery addresses prostate, bladder, kidney and testicular cancer. Surgeons use laparoscopic and robotic surgery to effectively treat your cancer while prioritizing your quality of life. We specialize in nerve-sparing techniques for prostate cancer and other options designed to reduce side effects and improve outcomes.
What to Expect
Your care team takes time to understand you beyond your diagnosis — learning everything from your physical and emotional needs to your personal goals. This personalized approach is supported by the expertise of our entire cancer surgery team. Our specialists collaborate in multidisciplinary tumor boards, where cancer experts come together to review complex cases and share insights.
About a week before surgery, we'll schedule a pre-admission visit to:
- Assist with any remaining pre-surgical lab work or tests
- Review what will happen during your surgery
- Explain potential side effects
- Discuss medications and post-surgery care, including in-home help or equipment if needed
You'll receive information to prepare for your hospital admission. If you have any questions after your pre-admission appointment, you can reach out to your nurse or care coordinator, who will be happy to help.
On the day of your surgery, you will meet with an anesthesiologist, who confirms details of your medical record, clarifies any questions about your medical history, and performs a physical exam.
During this time, you can discuss the plan for your care, express any concerns about potential side effects, and ask any questions that you have about the anesthesia.
The specifics of your surgery are determined by your surgery type and individual needs, but one factor is always consistent – you’re being treated by an expertly trained team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, surgical nurses, and technicians.
The length of your surgery depends on several factors, including the type of procedure, whether reconstruction is being done, and the complexity of the procedure. The care team will inform your loved ones of your progress and provide updates during surgery.
Following surgery, you’ll be moved to recovery where your care team can monitor your vital signs and manage your pain as the anesthesia wears off.
Postoperative care instructions will be provided before being discharged. Instructions could include information about wound care, activity restrictions, and pain management.
For more extensive surgeries, you may be required to stay overnight, or longer, to ensure proper recovery.
Typically, you'll have follow-up appointments after surgery for the first few weeks. This is to monitor your healing and effectively manage the potential for complications. Your follow-up appointment schedule will depend on the type of surgery you have.
As time goes on, we'll see you less frequently, but you'll still come in for regular checkups. During these visits, we manage any ongoing treatments, such as medical or radiation oncology, and monitor for signs of recurrence.
We also offer extensive supportive care services to help you through every treatment stage.
Learn more about our supportive care services.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s natural to feel nervous about surgery, but your care team will talk you through the process, helping you prepare for surgery and answering all your questions well in advance.
As part of your personalized care plan, we offer advanced surgical options tailored to your diagnosis and goals, including minimally invasive procedures, when possible, along with reconstruction if needed. After surgery, we provide detailed recovery instructions and make sure that you have all the ongoing support you need to help you heal with confidence.
Surgery may be all that your care plan requires if your cancer was diagnosed in its early stages and hasn’t spread to other parts of the body.
However, surgery can be accompanied by medical oncology treatment such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy to meet your specific needs and give you the highest likelihood of a successful outcome.
Radiation may also be recommended to help shrink tumors prior to surgery or following surgery to decrease the chance of recurrence.
Your recovery time depends on which type of surgery you have.
You may be in the hospital for one or two days following your surgery, although some procedures are done on an outpatient basis. Some patients can return to their regular activities within a few weeks, while others may take longer.
Before surgery, your care team will walk you through what to expect and provide a detailed recovery plan. This includes guidance for managing pain, any activity restrictions, and information about follow-up visits — so you can make arrangements and feel confident going into surgery.
Surgery can leave scars. The extent of scarring and its visibility depends on the type of surgery that you have. Your care team can talk to you about any concerns, including options for reconstructive surgery, if suitable, and ways to improve scar healing and appearance.
Treatment timelines vary depending on your diagnosis. Some surgical procedures are done on an outpatient basis. More complex cases may require a hospital stay.
Medical oncology and radiation treatments typically involve multiple treatment sessions over a period of days or weeks. Treatment timelines vary depending on the type and stage of your cancer. Your care team reviews your treatment plan with you, as well as any options that may impact length, frequency and duration of treatment.
Following active treatment, you will see your physician periodically to monitor any signs of recurrence.
Patients have access to hundreds of clinical trials involving most cancer types. We are often among the first in the U.S. to provide access to Phase 1 trials — the first stage of evaluating treatments in humans. Please note, we open new trials often. Check with your clinician for the latest in upcoming trials.
Learn more and find out if a clinical trial could become part of your treatment plan.
We provide a full range of supportive care services to support you during and after your cancer treatment. Some of these services include:
- Art therapists
- Cancer rehabilitation (onco-physiatry)
- Care coordinators
- Genetic counseling (cancer geneticist)
- Health educators
- Medical massage (edema, lymphedema management)
- Music therapist
- Naturopaths
- Nutritionists
- Oncology nurses
- Social workers
- Speech and language pathology
We can also help with finances, food, transportation, and other challenges for eligible patients through our patient assistance fund.
See the full list of supportive care services.
Note: Some services are provided by local partners and vary based on location. Please contact your clinic for more information.
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