Surgical oncology is a surgical subspecialty that focuses on the surgical management of cancer patients.

This sub-specialty has evolved over the years with the proliferation of surgeons and cancer centers that manage cancer patients with various treatment modalities including minimally invasive techniques, palliative surgery, and neo-adjuvant treatments.

There are several surgical oncology fellowship training programs in the United States that have been approved by the Society of Surgical Oncology.  Their training period (clinical and research) lasts from 2 to 4 years upon completion of a general residence.  Most often, surgical oncologists refers to a general surgical oncologist, but these surgeons may co-manage patients with other surgeons such as: thoracic surgical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists and urologists.

Surgical oncologists, join other physicians in the treatment of cancer patients.  They participate in clinical trials.  Through the University of Puerto Rico/MD Andersson Cancer Center Partnership our trainees have the opportunity to participate in cancer research with competitive investigators from Puerto Rico and MD Anderson.  In addition, the trainees have the opportunity to complete an MD/PhD degree from both institutions.

The first Oncology hospital in Puerto Rico was founded by Dr. Isaac Gonzalez Martinez in Santurce.  It was transferred to the Puerto Rico Medical Center in the 1960’s. Currently is the San Juan Oncologic Hospital Isaac Gonzalez Martinez which has serve for the last 30 years as the Cancer Teaching Hospital of the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine training Program. The Hospital has been Certified by the American College of Surgeons as Approved Cancer Program for the last 30 years.

Through the development and approval of Law #230 on August 2004, the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center (UPRCCC) was established as a public corporation affiliated to the University of Puerto Rico System.  The UPRCCC has three main research divisions: Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Cancer Medicine, and Cancer Biology.   In addition, The Oncological Hospital Isaac Gonzalez Martinez and the UPRCCC provides tumor boards for doctors and other health care providers with different specialties to discuss cancer cases and share knowledge. The board’s goal is to determine the best possible cancer treatment and care plan for an individual patient. Our Residency program offers these opportunities and provides the necessary infrastructure to support the career development and cancer training of physicians and other health care professionals to help patients fight cancer.

 

Dr. Reynold Lopez
Division Director