Surgical Oncology

Robotic Surgery gives your surgeon increased precision and steadiness. At Novant Health, our surgeons are highly skilled in the da Vinci Surgical System®. This procedure uses a robotic arm to guide the surgeon and features high-definition, 3D vision and precision tools.

During this minimally invasive procedure, small incisions are made using a laparoscope. This device is a thin tube with a camera that gives the surgeon an excellent view of the surgical area. Special tools are then used to remove the cancerous growths.

This technique targets tumors using a strong beam of light to eradicate the cancerous cells. The laser can accurately focus on specific areas.

Open surgery is a traditional type of cancer treatment that involves the surgeon making a large incision to remove a tumor. This more invasive surgery may be your best option if cancer has caused significant damage to muscles or tissue.

In this method, your surgeon freezes cancerous or abnormal cells using liquid nitrogen. This minimally invasive procedure typically doesn't leave scarring and heals quickly.

The breast surgeons at Novant Health are committed to helping you take control of your breast health. If you have received a breast cancer diagnosis, surgery will likely be part of your treatment plan.  

Our board-certified breast surgeons specialize in procedures for removing cancerous tissue in the breast, including breast-conserving surgery, total mastectomy and lymph node removal. We coordinate your care as a team, working hand-in-hand with your radiation and medical oncologists as well as your plastic surgeon, if reconstruction is part of your plan. 

Our surgery centers are recognized by The American College of Surgeons for our commitment to outstanding breast cancer care and clinical excellence. 

If surgery is part of your colon or rectal cancer treatment plan, rest easy knowing that at Novant Health you have access to North Carolina’s top colorectal surgeons. All the colorectal surgeons at Novant Health are board certified, meaning they are experts in the treatment of colorectal cancer. This extra credential requires additional training, testing, and a history of successful patient outcomes through documented patient surgeries. 

We use the most advanced procedures, including minimally invasive robot-assisted surgery. You’ll find personalized care in a compassionate environment at any Novant Health cancer location.  

Hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) cancers include cancers of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. Cancers in this area of the body are usually complex. If your treatment plan includes surgery, you’ll want someone with HPB surgical expertise. Novant Health Cancer Institute has some of the state’s few leading surgical experts dedicated to performing these delicate surgeries, including the Whipple procedure. 

Our surgeons use minimally invasive cancer surgery techniques such as endoscopy, interventional radiology, or laparoscopic surgery whenever possible. Novant Health has also been an early investor in robotic equipment and training, and our surgical team has significant experience and success using this leading-edge technology. 

If you have received a diagnosis for melanoma, skin cancer, or sarcomas, surgery will likely be an important part of your treatment plan. The surgical oncology specialists at Novant Health are trained and experienced in the care of early or advanced melanoma, skin cancers (including Merkel Cell cancer), and soft tissue sarcomas.  

Our board-certified cancer surgeons, including head and neck cancer surgeons, specialize in procedures for removing these cancers. They’ll gather staging information before and during surgery to provide you with the best possible treatment plan. 

Your personalized treatment may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or plastic surgery. We’ll coordinate your care as a team, working with radiology and pathology specialists, physical therapy, integrative medicine, and nutritional support.