Principles of surgery for the cancer patient.

The appropriate diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancer are most correctly made through the cooperative efforts of a team of specialists, including an oncologist, surgeon, and pathologist. Preoperative determination of the tumor type and histologic grade, extent of the mass, and the patient's health status will result in the most comprehensive course of action. Diagnosis and staging of the tumor are paramount to preparing an optimal treatment plan. To ensure the best possible outcome, the preoperative, surgical, and postoperative plan should be customized to the individual cancer patient and their owner while following given guidelines. This article describes the basic principals for evaluation and operative management of the surgical oncology patient.