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Cancer surgery

Surgery is one of the most common treatments for many types of cancer. Surgery can be used to further diagnose the type and stage of cancer you may have, to treat it or reduce your risk of developing cancer. 

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About surgery for cancer

At HCA UK we have invested in state-of-the-art operating theatres to ensure our skilled consultant surgeons have the latest equipment to operate with. We offer all types of cancer surgery, from the simple to the most complex.

Types of cancer surgery

  • Surgery to diagnose cancer icon plus

    Surgical biopsies are used to diagnose the type of cancer you may have and how slowly or quickly it is likely to grow (the grade).

  • Surgery to treat cancer icon plus

    Surgery is one of the main treatments for cancer. And depending on the type and stage of your cancer it may be the only treatment you need. When cancer is diagnosed early, surgery can be a curative treatment option. This means the cancer is contained to the one area of the body and has not spread.

    Your surgeon will remove the tumour and some of the healthy tissue surrounding it. It may also be necessary to remove any lymph nodes near to the tumour in case they contain cancerous cells. Once your tumour has been removed, surgeons will send this to a lab for testing. The results from these tests will determine whether you need any further treatment. This is known as adjuvant treatment and is normally chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

    In some cases you may require some treatment before your surgery to shrink the size of the tumour and make it more operable. This is referred to as neo-adjuvant treatment and is normally chemotherapy or radiotherapy. When cancer has spread to another area of the body, surgery is generally not a curative treatment option. In these cases surgery may not be the best treatment option as it may be best to use a treatment that works throughout your body. Your consultant will discuss what treatment options will be best to treat your specific type of cancer and provide you with all the information you need to make a choice about your care.

  • Surgery to reconstruct a part of your body icon plus

    The reconstructive service we offer at HCA UK is a fundamental part of the care we provide. Not everyone will require reconstructive surgery as part of their cancer treatment, but for those that do we understand how important this service is.

    Our team of expert oncoplastic surgeons carry out both routine and highly complex reconstructive procedures, including innovative microsurgical reconstruction to provide patients with the best possible outcomes. Sometimes it is possible to have your cancer surgery and subsequent reconstructive surgery in one operation.

    Your consultant will discuss your options around reconstructive surgery with you in more detail so that you can make an informed decision about your care. We specialise in head and neck, breast, skin and urological reconstructive surgery. Reconstructive surgery is available to patients having their full cancer treatment with us, as well as those who have had treatment elsewhere and would like to access our specialist reconstructive team.

Innovative surgical techniques

da Vinci surgical robot

We have a number of da Vinci surgical robots across our network of hospitals in London and Manchester. Our highly-skilled consultant surgeons have a wealth of surgical experience and can carry out urological, gynaecological and colorectal surgery using the robot. The da Vinci robot provides better outcomes and fewer effects compared to non-robotic surgery, including a shorter hospital stay, reduced trauma to the body, a lower risk of infection and faster recovery times.

The ROSA robot & Visulase

HCA UK is the first private provider in the UK to offer brain surgery treatment using the ROSA Robot. The ROSA provides Robotic Stereotactic Assistance and acts as a kind of GPS system for the skull. This minimally invasive technique helps surgeons carry out complex open skull surgical procedures and surgical interventions such as biopsies, electrode implantation or endoscopic keyhole procedures. This technique allows for precise and safe navigation of the brain anatomy, and its reduced operation time is likely to mean safer surgery, less time under anaesthetic and lower risk of infection.

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

Our team of highly-specialised urologists offer HIFU treatment for prostate cancer at our facilities both London and Manchester. HIFU is a targeted treatment technique that uses heated and precise ultrasound waves to target prostate cancer. HIFU is focused onto the small area of cancerous tissue in the prostate. These precision waves then heat the targeted area to 80-90c in two to three seconds and destroy the cancerous tissue. 

HIPEC Surgery

HIPEC surgery also known as, cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, is an innovative and complex procedure used to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). Most colorectal cancers start in the inner surface of the bowel wall. In some cases. it can spread to the abdominal cavity and affect the surface, which is called the peritoneum. 

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Fertility preservation

Some cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery, can compromise a patient’s ovarian, testicular or uterine function.


At HCA Healthcare UK, we operate the Lister Fertility Clinic, the UK’s largest fertility clinic. This service provides men and women with the opportunity to preserve their fertility, where necessary, by freezing sperm, eggs or embryos.  


If the patient’s fertility is at risk, the opportunity to preserve fertility prior to treatment can be explored.

More about the Lister Fertility Clinic

Our facilities

From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.

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We're happy to help you make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.

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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
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