Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center

Surgery

General surgeons manage a broad spectrum of surgical conditions affecting almost any area of the body. They establish the diagnosis and provide preoperative, operative, and postoperative care to surgical patients. They are familiar with many congenital, infectious and metabolic problems, and are often care providers for those with cancer. The general surgeon uses a variety of diagnostic techniques, including endoscopy, for observing internal structures. A general surgeon must be familiar with the nature of other surgical specialties in order to know when to refer a patient to another specialist.