Surgical Services for Cancer Patients

Surgical Services

Robotic surgery at Munson Medical Center

Gynecologic Surgery

Your physician may recommend surgery if you have been diagnosed with endometrial (uterine), cervical or ovarian cancer. Gynecologic surgery is performed using either traditional open surgery, minimally invasive surgery, or robotic surgery. If your physician recommends a hysterectomy, you may be a candidate for a new minimally invasive surgical procedure called da Vinci Hysterectomy. 

A full range of gynecologic oncology care is available at Munson Medical Center including:

  • Minimally invasive surgical treatment 
  • Chemotherapy: administration of chemotherapy including intraperitoneal chemotherapy 
  • Participation in clinical trials for gynecologic malignancies 
  • Reconstructive surgery 
  • High Dose Rate Radiation Therapy (HDR)
  • Sentinel Lymph Node biopsies are performed for Endometrial, Cervical and Vulvar Cancers 

da Vinci Minimally-Invasive Robotic Surgery

Many cancer surgeries can be treated using robotic technology. The surgeons at Munson Medical Center have been performing these procedures since 2009. Potential benefits of robotic surgery are:

  • Less blood loss
  • Less risk of infection
  • Less pain following the operation
  • A shorter hospital stay
  • A faster and more complete recovery, which means a quicker return to normal daily activities

The technology allows the surgeon to perform complex procedures through a few tiny incisions, roughly the diameter of a pencil. 

Each year, David Michelin, MD performs around 200 procedures using robotic technology on patients with endometrial and cervical cancers. The newest model helps him target the minimum number of lymph nodes for removal which results in shorter surgeries and fewer complications. Video courtesy of MedWatch, 9&10 News.

Advanced Surgical Intervention

Removal of cancerous tumors is also provided at Munson Medical Center including:

  • Head and neck tumors – procedures performed by neurosurgeons, ear nose and throat surgeons, and otolaryngologists
  • Central nervous system tumors (brain and spine) – performed by neurosurgeons 
  • Endocrine tumors such as thyroid – performed by general surgeons
  • Thoracic (lung) tumors – procedures performed by cardiovascular thoracic surgeons
  • Colorectal tumors – procedure performed by general surgeons
  • Breast conservation surgery (lumpectomy) and mastectomy – procedures performed by general surgeons
  • Breast reconstructive surgery – performed by plastic surgeons
    • Flap techniques: surgical techniques used to reposition your skin, muscle, and fat to reconstruct or cover your breast
    • TRAM Flap: a surgical technique that uses muscle, fat, and skin from your abdomen to reconstruct your breast
    • Implants
  • Melanoma – Mohs procedures (micrographic surgery) performed by dermatologists