30+ years of experience
3,000+ CRS+HIPEC procedures
International multidisciplinary committee
Reviewed by Dr. Juan José Torrent · Updated: April 30, 2026

Oncological Salvage Surgery

Specialized surgery

Specialized surgical treatment for local tumor recurrences. When cancer returns, we offer salvage options with curative intent through highly complex surgery.

CONTACT SPECIALIST

What is salvage surgery?

Salvage surgery is a surgical procedure performed when a tumor recurs (relapse) in the same location where it was previously treated. The goal is to offer a second chance at cure through complete removal of the recurrent tumor.

This type of surgery requires a high degree of specialization, as it is performed in a previously operated surgical field, often with anatomical changes from previous surgeries, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. The operation therefore has to be planned in detail and performed by a team with experience in this type of case.

Operating room corridor at Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital, where oncological salvage surgery is performed

When is salvage surgery indicated?

Salvage surgery may be an option when certain conditions are met:

Localized recurrence

The tumor has recurred locally without evidence of distant disease (metastasis) or with resectable metastases.

Technical resectability

It is possible to completely remove the tumor with clear margins, even if extensive or multivisceral resections are required.

Adequate general condition

The patient has a physical condition that allows tolerating complex surgery with good expected functional outcomes.

Prolonged disease-free interval

Sufficient time has elapsed since initial treatment, suggesting less aggressive tumor biology.

Types of salvage surgery

We perform various salvage procedures depending on the location of recurrence:

Pelvic exenteration

Radical surgery for pelvic recurrences of rectal, gynecological, or urological cancer, with en bloc resection of affected organs.

Colorectal recurrence resection

Re-resection of anastomosis or surgical bed in colorectal cancer recurrences, including sacral resections.

Abdominal wall surgery

Resection of tumor implants in the abdominal wall with reconstruction using meshes and component separation techniques.

Multivisceral resections

En bloc removal of recurrence along with adjacent infiltrated organs to achieve adequate oncological margins.

Challenges of salvage surgery

Salvage surgery presents specific challenges requiring experience and specialized resources:

Fibrosis and adhesions

Previous surgeries and treatments generate scar tissue that makes identification of surgical planes and anatomical structures difficult.

Radiotherapy effects

Previous radiotherapy can compromise tissue vascularization and healing, increasing the risk of complications.

Altered anatomy

Previous resections modify normal anatomy, requiring deep knowledge of post-surgical variants.

Complex reconstruction

Complex reconstruction techniques are often required, such as musculocutaneous flaps and urinary or digestive diversions.

Our experience in salvage surgery

At Quenet-Torrent Institute we have experience in oncological salvage surgery. Our multidisciplinary team assesses each case separately to decide whether surgery is possible and to plan the operation.

We have robotic surgery and intraoperative imaging techniques, which help us operate with precision in complex cases.

Facade of the private hospital where the Quenet-Torrent team performs oncological salvage surgery

Pathologies that may require salvage surgery

Salvage surgery is applied in recurrences of various oncological pathologies.

Where do we perform salvage surgery?

We operate in two private hospitals in Spain. The same medical team treats you in Madrid and in Barcelona, with the same surgical and oncological protocols.

Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital, Madrid
Madrid

Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital

Private hospital in Pozuelo de Alarcón with a multidisciplinary team specialised in digestive surgical oncology.

Paseo de la Casa de Campo, 5 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid
View Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital
Centro Médico Teknon, Barcelona
Barcelona

Centro Médico Teknon

Private hospital in Barcelona where the team performs high-complexity surgical oncology.

Carrer de Vilana, 12 08022 Barcelona
View Centro Médico Teknon

Patients treated by the Quenet Torrent team

Real testimonies from patients treated by our team in high-complexity surgical oncology.

Debra's case

66-year-old English woman with advanced ovarian cancer and peritoneal metastases. Treated with cytoreduction + HIPEC, she is now disease-free.

Read the full case

Rosario (Charo)'s case

73-year-old patient with advanced cancer treated with chemotherapy and high-complexity surgical oncology, with good survival and quality of life.

Read the full case

Felipe's case

A mistaken diagnosis of terminal colon cancer that a second opinion revealed to be pseudomyxoma peritonei, treatable with cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC.

Read the full case

Santiago's case

Diagnosed with widespread peritoneal carcinomatosis and considered inoperable. After complete cytoreduction with HIPEC, today his is a story of survival.

Read the full case

What our patients say

See on Google 4.5/5
L
Loreto Toscano
4 weeks ago
5/5

Wonderful surgical team, among the best out there. Dr. Torrent (expert in peritoneal carcinomatosis) is an exceptional surgeon and an even better person. His coordinator is super kind, fast and efficient. The personal care is excellent and so are the results. This is of vital importance for cancer patients.

K
Kanijo Sánchez
5 months ago
5/5

In the public healthcare system they gave my father a maximum of one year to live. They only offered him chemo and no hope, said it was impossible, that nothing could be done. He had several tumors inside the peritoneal sac with metastases. A year and a half later he is clean, completely cured. His latest PET scan came back clean. We are very happy. Thanks to Dr. Torrent and his team. THANK YOU.

M
Manuel S.D.
A year ago
5/5

Excellent professionals, especially Dr. Torrent, attentive at all times to the patient (my wife), operated for peritoneal pseudomyxoma. They helped us with all our needs since we came from outside Barcelona. Thank you Elisabeth. We are very grateful to Quenet Torrent Institute, thank you for everything.

P
Pilar Garcés
2 years ago
5/5

I am a 63-year-old patient. They detected adrenal gland cancer and told me there was nothing to be done. I sought a second opinion and they told me about the Quenet Torrent team, specialists in complex operations. Dr. Torrent, from the first moment, told me they could operate. They operated and removed a large tumor mass. I spent a week in the ICU and a month on the ward. Every day he came morning and evening, no matter Saturday or Sunday. Never throw in the towel. I am happy to have found these professionals who gave me my life back. Thank you.

I
Imma Rondán
3 years ago
5/5

Many thanks for your attention. Dr. Torrent always attentive, involved and decisive. The reception staff very pleasant and always offering the best option. 100% RECOMMENDED. THANK YOU.

M
Mª Cristina Domínguez
5 years ago
5/5

Dr. Torrent helped me make the best decision at a difficult moment. I think he is a great professional and a person capable of accompanying you and putting himself in another's shoes. Thank you for everything.

F
Francisco García
6 years ago
5/5

I have peritoneal carcinomatosis. When I sent my diagnosis to every center, practically all of them agreed on palliative chemo with little survival time, since I had a very aggressive type of cell. Until we reached Dr. Quenet, Dr. Torrent and their team. I can only confirm what their CV announces: they are far ahead of the rest. They saved my life, because during the operation the harmful cells that everyone had diagnosed, and that were the reason nobody would operate on me, were not there. This intervention has become the best investment of my life.

M
Mara Reboredo
6 years ago
5/5

The best decision of my life was finding this excellent team of surgeons who saved my husband's life. At a prestigious international clinic in Madrid he was given up for lost with advanced peritoneal carcinomatosis from appendiceal cancer, and thanks to them, the best professionals in this field, he was operated on very successfully. A perfect recovery with no complications, because they were on top of his progress at all times. They have a great quality: from the start they were very honest and close. I can only be deeply grateful; we went to buy time and thanks to them my husband got his life back.

E
Elisenda Br.
7 years ago
5/5

Dr. Torrent is a brilliant surgeon and a very approachable and warm doctor, whose manner reveals all the qualities that make him a great person and professional: perseverance, innate curiosity and a desire to learn, humility, sincerity and empathy. Going through an operation is undoubtedly an intense experience, physically and emotionally, in which anxieties arise and you feel very vulnerable. All of that is normal, and as his former patient I can say that his care and professionalism throughout the process were absolutely exceptional. I felt very supported by him, with the confidence of knowing I was in the best hands. I will always be grateful to him. Moltes gràcies Dr. Torrent!

Need to speak with a specialist?

Complete the form and schedule your appointment to speak directly with the surgeon.

Request consultation

Message us on WhatsApp