Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health flu-related visitor restrictions have been lifted. However, because babies, especially those who are ill or premature, are at higher risk of serious complications if they get the flu, visitation restrictions are still in place for all Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) until further notice.
Oncologic surgery is a group of surgical procedures used to treat a variety of cancers.
Most solid cancers or tumors need to be removed to improve a child’s health and ease symptoms such as fever and pain.
Oncologic surgery is commonly used to treat cancers such as:
Pediatric surgeons at Riley at IU Health consult with a multidisciplinary team of specialists including oncologists, gastroenterologists, nephrologists, pulmonologists, endocrinologists, neonatologists and others to determine the right time for surgery. Depending on the specific type of cancer, surgery may be the first step in a treatment plan, or it may come after other treatments, such as chemotherapy, which is used to shrink the tumor.
Doctors use different tests to obtain as much information as they can about the tumor and to determine how surgery will impact other organs near the tumor. These tests include:
Pediatric surgeons at Riley at IU Health are active in the Children’s Oncology Group. This means children receive access to the most advanced cancer treatment protocols.
When children have cancerous tumors, each case is presented before a tumor board of pediatric specialists, including surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists and pathologists. This group discusses each case and determines the best course of action for each child. Doctors talk with family members about the procedure and show them pictures of the tumor so they understand what is involved in the surgery.
Your child should not eat or drink anything after midnight on the day before the oncologic surgery procedure.
On the day of the oncologic surgery:
Immediately after oncologic surgery:
Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.
This national organization provides information for families about surgery as a treatment option for childhood cancer on its website.
In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.
Pediatric Surgery
705 Riley Hospital Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46202
