How to Choose the Best Oncological Surgery Center

Why Choosing the Right Centre Matters

In oncological surgery, where you are treated significantly affects your outcome. Studies consistently show that high-volume specialised centres achieve lower complication rates, lower mortality, better oncological results (clear margins, lymph node yield) and higher survival for complex procedures such as HIPEC, hepatobiliary resections and sarcoma surgery.

Key Criteria for Choosing an Oncological Surgery Centre

Volume and experience: How many procedures of your specific type does the centre perform per year? For HIPEC, a minimum of 15–20 per year is associated with better outcomes. Specialisation: Does the centre focus on your type of cancer? A centre specialising in peritoneal malignancies will have deeper expertise than a general surgical unit. Multidisciplinary team (MDT): Are cases reviewed by a team including surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, radiologist, pathologist and other specialists? MDT decision-making is the gold standard. Technology and facilities: Access to robotic surgery, HIPEC infrastructure, interventional radiology, ICU and advanced imaging. Research and innovation: Participation in clinical trials indicates a centre at the frontier of practice. International recognition: Membership in international networks (PSOGI, ESSO, ESMO) and peer-reviewed publications.

Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

How many procedures like mine do you perform each year? What is your mortality and major complication rate? What is the expected hospital stay and recovery time? Will my case be discussed in an MDT meeting? What is the planned follow-up protocol? What options are available if the primary treatment fails?

Second Opinions

Requesting a second opinion at a specialised centre is always appropriate, especially for complex or rare tumours. It is not disloyal to your current doctors — it is your right as a patient, and most surgeons welcome the collaborative approach.