Surgical Oncology is a specialty that focuses on the surgical management (curative and palliative) of tumors such as gastrointestinal cancers, breast cancer, soft tissue sarcomas, endocrine tumors and melanoma. Surgical oncology requires additional specialized training (2 – 3 year fellowship) after general surgery residency (5 years) that prepares surgeons to provide sophisticated and comprehensive cancer care. Because surgical oncologists are educated in all aspects of cancer care, recommendations are based on the latest advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. This facilitates discussions with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and pathologists so all aspects of a patient’s care have been thoroughly reviewed and considered. This is important because this coordinated team approach has been shown to improve cure rates.