Surgical oncology: Difference between revisions

Whether surgical oncology constitutes a medical specialty ''per se'' is the topic of a heated debate. Today, some would agree that it is simply impossible for any one surgeon to be competent in the surgical management of ''all'' malignant disease<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iomcworld.org/open-access/editorialnote-on-carcinoma.pdf|title=Editorial Note on Carcinoma {{!}} Oncology and Case Report|website=www.iomcworld.org}}</ref> There are currently 19 surgical oncology fellowship training programs in the United States that have been approved by the Society of Surgical Oncology and this number is expect to grow.<ref>[https://www.surgonc.org/fellows/surgical-oncology-fellowships/program-list/ Surgical Oncology Fellowship Training Programs]</ref> While many general surgeons are actively involved in treating patients with malignant neoplasms, the designation of "surgical oncologist" is generally reserved for those surgeons who have completed one of the approved fellowship programs. However, this is a matter of semantics, as many surgeons who are thoroughly involved in treating cancer patients may consider themselves to be surgical oncologists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.surgonc.org/surgical-oncology-education/|title=Surgical Oncology Education}}</ref>