A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming and confusing, but your cancer care team is here to guide and support you as you process your diagnosis and start treatment.
Surgical oncology specialist Elvira Klause, MD, FACS, based in Laguna Hills, California, is an integral part of that cancer care team.
She’s not only your surgeon. She also helps you create your cancer care team. Read on to learn more about surgical oncology and how it works within the cancer care process.
Surgical oncology focuses on using surgical procedures to diagnose, treat, and manage cancer. Depending on your diagnosis, Dr. Klause may recommend surgery to remove cancerous tissue, determine how far the disease has spread, or relieve symptoms.
Your cancer's type, size, location, and stage, along with your overall health, help determine whether a surgical procedure is the best approach.
Before developing a treatment plan, we need to understand exactly what you're dealing with. Dr. Klause and other members of your cancer care team may use tests, such as CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds, to identify tumors and determine their size and location.
A biopsy is another important diagnostic procedure in which Dr. Klause removes a small sample of tissue for lab testing.
Together, these findings guide treatment decisions and help your entire care team develop a personalized plan.
When surgery is appropriate, removing a cancerous tumor and surrounding tissue can be an important step toward controlling the disease.
In some cases, surgery offers the possibility of a cure. In many cases, surgery combines with chemotherapy, radiation, or other treatments to improve outcomes.
Surgical oncology can also offer relief when cancer can't be completely removed. For instance, a procedure may reduce pain, relieve an obstruction, or address another complication, helping improve comfort and quality of life.
Cancer treatment often requires more than one specialist. Depending on your needs, your team may include a surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and other healthcare professionals.
Each specialist brings different expertise to your care. Working together, your team coordinates treatments, monitors your progress, and adjusts your plan as needed.
Dr. Klause emphasizes surrounding people with knowledgeable and compassionate professionals who can provide guidance and support throughout their cancer journey.
She helps connect patients with appropriate specialists and resources so they don't have to navigate complex treatment decisions alone.
If you're facing a cancer diagnosis, understanding your treatment and disease management options is an important first step toward reclaiming a sense of control.
Call 949-245-6910 to schedule a consultation with Elvira Klause, MD, FACS, in Laguna Hills, California, and learn how surgical oncology can work for you.
