SURGICAL ONCOLOGY: ENDLESS EVOLUTION

The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Department of Surgery Surgical Oncology Division is advancing the field of medicine in various ways, including technology, surgical services, and clinical and basic science research

According to Division Chief Dr. Ajay Jain, the evolution of the Division came to a head in 2019 when it was officially recognized as an extension of the Department.

“Before there were surgeons, but as a division, we now have very specialized expertise,” Dr. Jain said. Dr. Jain explained there are various branches of the Division each one providing an enhancement to the treatment and care of cancer patients

After becoming a National Cancer Institute in 2016, receiving a National Accreditation Program for Breast Cancer in May, and its National Rectal Cancer Program of Excellence Accreditation in February, the Division has become a leading cancer program dedicated to furthering advancements in surgical oncology.

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We over the last decade have really started offering minimally invasive colon surgery and rectal surgery with the (Da Vinci Surgical System) and treatment of metastatic disease that presents at the same time or after primary colorectal cancer,” Dr. Jain said. Dr. Jain explained that the ability to offer minimally invasive surgeries decreases mobility, infection, metastases, and other complications “Two-thirds of patients with colorectal surgery will go on to develop metastases

Our program enables us to treat the whole patient including treatment for liver and lung metastases,” Dr Jain said In February, the Surgical Oncology Division received its National Rectal Cancer Program of Excellence Accreditation “We are the only one in the state of Oklahoma and in a multi-state region to have this accreditation,” Jain said “It means we offer the highest standard of care for rectal cancer ” According to Dr Jain, the greatest tool in the evolution of the Division is research.

Dues to all its accreditations and specialty services, the department extends beyond medical services and has the ability to conduct various forms of research including clinical trials. “As a cancer program, we have more pancreatic cancer R01-funded research than any program in the country,” Dr. Jain said.