The Cancer Surgery department collects all the information and studies relating to cancer. Its role is to diagnose, treat and monitor cancer-related surgery.
Our teams support the following:
- Gastrointestinal cancers (colon, rectum, stomach, pancreas, etc.),
- Senology (breast cancer) and breast reconstruction,
- Gynaecological cancers,
- ENT cancers,
- Sarcomas and mesenchymal (soft tissue) tumours,
- Melanomas,
- Lung cancers,
- Urological cancers (bladder, prostate, kidney, etc.),
- Brain and spinal cord cancers.
ENT CANCERS
Ear, nose and throat cancers, also known as head and neck cancers (treated in the Department of Cancer Surgery), are tumours that originate in the upper aerodigestive tract. They include cancers of the larynx, the nasal cavity and sinuses, the base of the skull, the thyroid gland and the soft tissues of the neck.
The most common symptoms of head and neck cancer are:
- A lump under the skin or behind an ear (often painless)
- A wound that does not heal
- Bruising or easy bleeding
- A change in voice, such as hoarseness.
Head and neck cancers are divided into three categories:
Oral cancers include cancers of the larynx, tongue, soft palate, lips, cheeks, salivary glands, floor of the mouth and other parts of the mouth.
Nasopharyngeal cancers are located in front of the eardrum and behind the nose. The nasopharynx opens at the back of the nose into the upper part of the throat, like a funnel.
Oropharyngeal cancers are located between the mouth and the eardrum, at the back of the throat – including the tonsils – and throat cancers such as cancer of the upper tongue or tonsils.
LUNG CANCERS
Lung cancers (treated in our cancer surgery department) are a group that includes lung adenocarcinomas and lung squamous cell carcinomas.
Adenocarcinomas of the lung account for about 50% of lung cancers and are the most common type of primary lung cancer. Squamous cell carcinomas of the lung account for only about 15% of lung cancers, but these types are more aggressive by nature.
The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:
- A cough that does not disappear or that produces mucus with blood in it
- Shortness of breath, especially during routine activities such as washing or dressing
- Persistent chest pain that does not disappear or comes back after surgery or radiotherapy.
BRAIN CANCER
Brain tumours (treated in our Cancer Surgery department) are a group of tumours that develop in the brain or spinal tissues. These tumours can occur in any part of the brain or spinal cord, but most commonly develop in the frontal lobe, which controls personality and behaviour, or in the temporal lobes, which are responsible for hearing and memory.
Treatment for brain tumours varies depending on the type and location of the tumour. If possible, surgery is usually done to remove as much of the tumour as possible. After surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be used to kill any remaining cancer cells and stop them spreading around the body.
You ask, our teams answer.
F.A.Q
Sarcomas are cancerous tumours that develop in the soft tissues of the body, such as muscle, fat, blood vessels and nerve tissue. Sarcomas account for about 1% of all cancers.
The majority of sarcomas are diagnosed in adults between the ages of 30 and 50.
Sarcomas are classified according to where they occur in the body and how they look under the microscope:
- Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) – STS is a group of cancers that develop in the muscles, fat, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues of the body. Soft tissue sarcomas account for about 60% of all soft tissue cancers in adults.
- Bone sarcomas – Bone sarcomas can be primary or secondary bone tumours that develop in the bone or surrounding soft tissue. Primary bone tumours develop directly from bone cells, while secondary bone tumours originate in other parts of the body and spread to bone through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumour – Gastrointestinal stromal tumours are rare cancers that affect the lining of the digestive tract (mucosa).
Melanoma (treated in the Cancer Surgery department) is a type of skin cancer. Melanoma, which develops from melanocytes, can occur anywhere on the body. It often appears as a new mole or as an existing mole that has changed in size, shape, colour or feel.
Melanomas can be divided into two main categories: superficial melanomas and nodular melanomas. Superficial melanomas are more common and tend to appear on the trunk and limbs. Nodular melanomas are less common, but tend to be more aggressive and spread quickly.
Most melanoma patients are treated on an outpatient basis, with doctors using one or more of these techniques:
– Surgery to remove the entire tumour and a margin of normal skin around it.
– Chemotherapy with drugs that kill cancer cells (immunotherapy).
