Alison, a cancer patient, has collapsed
Surgical oncology is a surgical specialty which focuses on the surgical management of cancer. Surgical oncologists first train in a general surgery residency prior to a surgical oncology fellowship.
Medical professionals that practice surgical oncology are referred to as surgical oncologists or simply oncologists.
Notable Surgical Oncologists
- Dr. Rebecca Swender (Attending Surgical Oncologist at Seattle Grace Hospital)
- Dr. William Thorpe (Attending Surgical Oncologist at Bauer Army Medical Center)
- Dr. Lynne Cohen (Attending Surgical Oncologist at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital)
Notes and Trivia
- Despite having Swender on staff and an oncology residency program, most cases handled on Grey's Anatomy involving cancerous tumors are treated by the specialty where the tumor is located.
- Tumors in the abdominal regions are handled and treated by general surgeons.
- Tumors in the thoracic cavity or chest are handled and treated by cardiothoracic surgeons.
- Tumors in the bone or spine are handled and treated by orthopedic surgeons.
- Tumors in the brain or spine are handled and treated by neurosurgeons.
- Tumors in the female reproductive tract are treated by OB/GYN's or gynecologists.
- Izzie's case was the only instance of oncology residents being seen and managed by a surgical oncologist.