The relationships we build both inside and outside of our department are designed to make what is often a life changing event more understandable and approachable for the patient and care givers. We do this through open, clear and understandable discussions related to your cancer. A surgical oncologist is central to your treatment plan. A patient’s first instinct when diagnosed with cancer is to want to know if it can be removed with curative intent. It is our divisional philosophy that a discussion for or against surgery in any given circumstance should be with a surgeon instead of a nonsurgical medical partner.