​Surgical Oncology

Because cancer treatment can be so complex, it’s important to have a surgical oncologist involved in your care. Surgical oncologists undergo additional training in cancer treatment beyond their general surgery training, allowing them to develop and refine expertise in specialized cancer surgery techniques. This includes knowledge of how to use chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy and other novel treatments in conjunction with surgery to ensure the best chance of cure.

The OU Medicine team of surgical oncologists treats patients on our campus at Stephenson Cancer Center, a leading cancer center accredited by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). NCI designation means that our cancer center is in the top 2% of cancer centers in the United States, having earned recognition through rigorous standards and demonstrated significant contributions to reducing cancer burden. We are the only facility in Oklahoma to earn this designation.

As a team, our cancer specialists develop customized treatment plans for each patient - collaborating to provide a well-rounded and thorough plan that considers every angle. While surgery is a vital part of cancer treatment, it may not always be the right first step and other therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation given before surgery may actually improve the chances of removing the tumor completely. In some cases, we can even achieve comparable outcomes through non-surgical methods such as endoscopic therapy, targeted radiation, or catheter-based treatments given through the skin. When surgery is necessary, we have the ability to offer less invasive methods such as laparoscopic or robotic when appropriate.

In addition to world-class cancer treatment, we offer integrative medicine, nutritional services, and psychosocial support to help manage stress and ensure emotional well-being.

We focus on treating specific diseases so we can ensure high surgical volumes with the greatest quality. The types of cancer we treat include:

  • Breast
  • Colon and Rectal
  • Hepatobiliary and Pancreas (pancreas, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts)
  • Gastrointestinal (stomach, small bowel, gastrointestinal stromal – GIST)
  • Cutaneous and Soft Tissue (melanoma, squamous cell, sarcoma)