Plastic surgery facilitates the surgical removal of tumours, some of which might otherwise be inoperable. The objective of plastic surgery is to preserve and restore function and appearance while still allowing adequate treatment of a tumour. Because living with scarring is a huge social burden, plastic surgeons are concerned to leave an area looking as normal as possible. Skin cancers are the most common form of cancer and plastic surgeons are often involved in cutting these out. The increasing incidence is primarily due to a combination of over-exposure to the sun and an ageing population. Head and neck cancers, cancer in the pelvic area and the removal of large tumours from other parts of the body, may all involve reconstructive surgery and/or grafts to fill the hole left by the removal of tumours. When radiotherapy is used in conjunction with surgery, to kill any remaining rapidly-growing cancer cells, it may interfere with the blood supply, leaving areas of necrosis. Radionecrosis can be as big a problem for plastic surgeons to deal with as the removal of the tumours, requiring reconstruction and grafting in areas where tissue or bone has died.
Cancer Surgery
Reconstructive surgery
Plastic surgeons often work with general and orthopaedic surgeons, oncologists and radiotherapists in the removal of major sarcoma tumours. Skin cover, tissue replacement and functional reconstructions may all be required. Similarly in other forms of cancer, such as those affecting the perineum (where combined surgery and radiotherapy treatments can compromise healing), plastic surgeons may well be part of the team involved in perineal and pelvic reconstruction.