Localized recurrence
The tumor has recurred locally without evidence of distant disease (metastasis) or with resectable metastases.
Specialized surgical treatment for local tumor recurrences. When cancer returns, we offer salvage options with curative intent through highly complex surgery.
CONTACT SPECIALISTSalvage 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.
Salvage surgery may be an option when certain conditions are met:
The tumor has recurred locally without evidence of distant disease (metastasis) or with resectable metastases.
It is possible to completely remove the tumor with clear margins, even if extensive or multivisceral resections are required.
The patient has a physical condition that allows tolerating complex surgery with good expected functional outcomes.
Sufficient time has elapsed since initial treatment, suggesting less aggressive tumor biology.
We perform various salvage procedures depending on the location of recurrence:
Radical surgery for pelvic recurrences of rectal, gynecological, or urological cancer, with en bloc resection of affected organs.
Re-resection of anastomosis or surgical bed in colorectal cancer recurrences, including sacral resections.
Resection of tumor implants in the abdominal wall with reconstruction using meshes and component separation techniques.
En bloc removal of recurrence along with adjacent infiltrated organs to achieve adequate oncological margins.
Salvage surgery presents specific challenges requiring experience and specialized resources:
Previous surgeries and treatments generate scar tissue that makes identification of surgical planes and anatomical structures difficult.
Previous radiotherapy can compromise tissue vascularization and healing, increasing the risk of complications.
Previous resections modify normal anatomy, requiring deep knowledge of post-surgical variants.
Complex reconstruction techniques are often required, such as musculocutaneous flaps and urinary or digestive diversions.
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.
Salvage surgery is applied in recurrences of various oncological pathologies.
Local recurrences of colon and rectal cancer.
More information about colorectal tumorsPelvic recurrences of cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer.
More information about gynecological tumorsLocal recurrences of retroperitoneal and abdominal wall sarcomas.
More information about sarcomasWe 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.
Private hospital in Pozuelo de Alarcón with a multidisciplinary team specialised in digestive surgical oncology.
View Memorial Publio Cordón Hospital
Private hospital in Barcelona where the team performs high-complexity surgical oncology.
View Centro Médico TeknonReal testimonies from patients treated by our team in high-complexity surgical oncology.
66-year-old English woman with advanced ovarian cancer and peritoneal metastases. Treated with cytoreduction + HIPEC, she is now disease-free.
Read the full case73-year-old patient with advanced cancer treated with chemotherapy and high-complexity surgical oncology, with good survival and quality of life.
Read the full caseA mistaken diagnosis of terminal colon cancer that a second opinion revealed to be pseudomyxoma peritonei, treatable with cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC.
Read the full caseDiagnosed with widespread peritoneal carcinomatosis and considered inoperable. After complete cytoreduction with HIPEC, today his is a story of survival.
Read the full caseWonderful 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Complete the form and schedule your appointment to speak directly with the surgeon.