Surgery

In cancer care, surgical procedures are used to diagnose, stage and treat the disease and some of the symptoms it causes. You need the right surgery by an experienced, highly trained team. You’ll find both at the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, which performed more than 7,000 procedures from 2017-20.

About 60 percent of people with cancer will have some kind of surgery. Sometimes, it is the only treatment needed. Other times, surgery is combined with other measures such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy or radiation to help prevent the cancer from growing, spreading or coming back.

To determine if surgery is right for you, your team will look at the type of cancer you have, the size and location of the tumor and the stage of the disease, as well as your general health.

Our surgeons hold weekly collaborative meetings with a variety of specialists to discuss treatment plans, protocols and clinical trials. Their participation in clinical trials gives our patients access to the latest advancements in care.


Connect with our Team

Call 855.255.6181 or request a callback for support, advice, or a second opinion.


Our surgical team has expertise in multiple procedures, treating these cancers:


Types of Cancer Surgery

  • Curative surgery: Removes the cancerous tissue. This is best for cancers contained in one place that haven’t spread to other parts of the body. It is usually followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy to make sure all cancerous cells were removed.
  • Minimally-invasive surgery: A skilled approach to removing cancerous tumors by surgeons with advance training who use state-of-the-art equipment, including surgical robots. Small incisions mean less risk and faster recovery times.
  • Preventive or prophylactic surgery: Helps keep cancer from occurring. The most common example is the removal of precancerous polyps from the colon during a colonoscopy, which can prevent colon cancer.
  • Staging surgery: Helps your oncology team understand the extent of your cancer. This can be done by taking tissue samples for analysis.
  • Reconstructive surgery: After cancer treatment, when needed, to return your body to near-normal appearance or function. The most common type is breast reconstruction surgery after breast removal.
  • Supportive surgery: Available to help with other treatments, such as inserting a port under the skin for chemotherapy.
  • Palliative surgery: Eases pain caused by advanced or untreatable cancer, improving quality of life.

Minimally-Invasive Surgery

When possible, we opt for minimally-invasive procedures. The surgeon performs the same procedure as in traditional surgery but through smaller incisions using advanced technology and special instruments, including surgical robots.

This means less bleeding, less scarring, less postoperative pain and a shorter hospital stay. You also recover and return to normal activities faster. Your provider will talk with you about the best procedure based on your diagnosis.

Our focus is always on curing your cancer, and sometimes minimally-invasive techniques are not the best option.

Your cancer team might suggest combining surgery with chemotherapy or radiation as the most effective way to remove all of the cancerous cells.


Advanced Treatment

Another innovative way to give chemotherapy is called Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). This newer approach is designed for people with certain types of Stage IV abdominal cancers, such as colorectal and gynecologic.

In the operating room, specially-trained surgical oncologists remove the cancerous tumors from the abdomen. They then deliver HIPEC directly into the abdominal cavity to target any remaining cancer cells that are too small to see.

The high concentration of warm chemo in HIPEC can be more effective than conventional treatment. It is also given in one dose versus multiple visits and causes fewer side effects


Surgical Oncology News

November 15, 2022

Robotic Surgery Saved This Man’s Life After a Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis

Andrew Maag of Southington knew something wasn’t right with his health. He was unexpectedly losing weight and noticed a pain [...]

July 12, 2022

Advancements in Hip Replacements Allow for a Faster Recovery

Edward Dufini said his hip would make a clicking noise every time he stood up and it was painful when [...]

June 15, 2022

Total Ankle Replacement Helps Bone & Joint Institute Patients Get Back in the Game

Paul Prignano, 66, of West Hartford, is active for his age and wanted to stay that way. “At least two [...]

June 13, 2022

St. Vincent’s Medical Center Leads New England in Advanced Technology for Brain and Spine Surgeries

Hartford HealthCare St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport is the first hospital in New England to use Synaptive’s Modus V™ [...]

June 06, 2022

Pain in the Neck or Back? It Could Be a Herniated Disc

By Gregory Kuzmik, MD It’s estimated that more than three million Americans are living with a herniated disc in their [...]

April 29, 2022

St. Vincent’s Medical Center 1 of 6 Hospitals in Country to Receive Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery

Hartford HealthCare St. Vincent’s Medical Center recently became one of only six hospitals in the country to receive Advanced Certification [...]

Support at the Cancer Institute

The Cancer Institute offers whatever you and your family need on your journey, whether it’s access to an oncology social worker, a nurse navigator to coordinate your care or the support of our Patient and Family Resource Center.


Meet our Cancer Surgical Oncologists:

Name Specialties Location
Callender, Glenda Grace, MD, FACS Callender, Glenda Grace, MD, FACS
4.9 /5
111 surveys
203.576.6141
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Endocrine Surgery
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  • Bridgeport
Rubinstein, Jill Carol, MD, PhD Rubinstein, Jill Carol, MD, PhD 203.576.6141
  • Endocrine Surgery
  • Surgical Oncology
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  • Bridgeport
Cha, Charles, MD, FACS Cha, Charles, MD, FACS
4.9 /5
99 surveys
203.576.6141
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Bridgeport
Bliss, Lindsay Ann, MD, MPH Bliss, Lindsay Ann, MD, MPH
5.0 /5
37 surveys
860.696.2040
  • Surgical Oncology
  • General Surgery
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  • Hartford
  • Bloomfield
  • Enfield
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Eisenberg, David Paul, MD, FACS Eisenberg, David Paul, MD, FACS
5.0 /5
164 surveys
860.696.2040
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Breast Surgery
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  • Hartford
  • Avon
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Schipper, Bret Mitchell, MD, FACS, CPE Schipper, Bret Mitchell, MD, FACS, CPE
4.9 /5
93 surveys
860.696.2040
  • Surgical Oncology
  • General Surgery
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  • Hartford
  • New Britain
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Curtis, David Eugene, MD Curtis, David Eugene, MD 860.696.2040
  • Hepatobiliary and Surgical Oncology
  • General Surgery
  • Surgical Oncology
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  • Hartford
  • Glastonbury
  • Manchester
  • West Hartford
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Banever, Thomas Clark, MD, FACS Banever, Thomas Clark, MD, FACS 860.249.9189
  • General Surgery
  • Breast Surgery
  • Surgical Oncology
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  • Hartford
Carsello, Carrie B., MD, FACS Carsello, Carrie B., MD, FACS
5.0 /5
103 surveys
860.696.2040
  • Endocrine Surgery
  • General Surgery
  • Surgical Oncology
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  • New Britain
Aydin, Huseyin Nail Nail, MD Aydin, Huseyin Nail Nail, MD
4.8 /5
83 surveys
860.423.5000
  • Surgical Oncology
  • General Surgery
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  • Willimantic
  • Tolland
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Meet our Breast Cancer Surgeons:

Name Specialties Location
Duckworth, April Marie, MD Duckworth, April Marie, MD
4.9 /5
303 surveys
860.224.5416
  • Breast Surgery
  • Plainville
  • Manchester
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Young, Whitney, MD, FACS Young, Whitney, MD, FACS
4.9 /5
100 surveys
203.694.5200
  • Breast Surgery
  • Meriden
  • Hamden
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Caprio, Kimberly Anne, MD Caprio, Kimberly Anne, MD
4.9 /5
158 surveys
860.496.4190
  • Breast Surgery
  • Torrington
  • Enfield
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Eisenberg, David Paul, MD, FACS Eisenberg, David Paul, MD, FACS
5.0 /5
164 surveys
860.696.2040
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Breast Surgery
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  • Hartford
  • Avon
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Coletti, David Edward, MD, FACS Coletti, David Edward, MD, FACS
4.8 /5
103 surveys
860.886.0660
  • General Surgery
  • Breast Surgery
  • Colon & Rectal Surgery
  • Endocrine Surgery
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  • Norwich
  • Mystic
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Bassin, Leah R., MD, FACS Bassin, Leah R., MD, FACS
4.9 /5
225 surveys
860.246.2071
  • Breast Surgery
  • Farmington
  • Avon
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Stanat, Christy Ann, MD Stanat, Christy Ann, MD
4.9 /5
117 surveys
860.204.9126
  • Breast Surgery
  • Norwich
  • Waterford
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King, Heather Marie, MD, FACS King, Heather Marie, MD, FACS
4.9 /5
168 surveys
860.246.2071
  • Breast Surgery
  • Farmington
  • Glastonbury
  • Manchester
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Banever, Thomas Clark, MD, FACS Banever, Thomas Clark, MD, FACS 860.249.9189
  • General Surgery
  • Breast Surgery
  • Surgical Oncology
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  • Hartford
Posner, Michael Gary, MD Posner, Michael Gary, MD 860.826.4453
  • General Surgery
  • Breast Surgery
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  • New Britain
Lawrence, Camelia, MD, FACS Lawrence, Camelia, MD, FACS
4.9 /5
166 surveys
860.224.5416
  • Breast Surgery
  • Plainville
Brutus Lucenti, Valerie, MD, FACS Brutus Lucenti, Valerie, MD, FACS
4.9 /5
91 surveys
475.210.7002
  • Breast Surgery
  • Bridgeport
  • Trumbull
  • Wilton
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Maguire, Kevin, MD, FACS, CPE Maguire, Kevin, MD, FACS, CPE
4.9 /5
90 surveys
860.425.5300
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Breast Surgery
  • Hand Surgery
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  • Norwich
Wilson, Niamey, MD, FACS Wilson, Niamey, MD, FACS
5.0 /5
108 surveys
203.694.5200
  • Breast Surgery
  • Meriden
  • Cheshire
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Vega, Daniella, MD Vega, Daniella, MD 860.548.7338
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Breast Surgery
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  • Farmington
  • Avon
  • Plainville
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Peck, Julie, MD Peck, Julie, MD 860.204.9126
  • Breast Surgery
  • Norwich
  • Waterford
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Connors, Casey, MD Connors, Casey, MD 860.224.5416
  • Breast Surgery
  • Plainville
  • Manchester
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Meet our Breast Cancer Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons:

Name Specialties Location
Delucia, Orlando, MD, FACS Delucia, Orlando, MD, FACS
4.9 /5
155 surveys
860.548.7338
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Farmington
  • Glastonbury
  • Hartford
  • Torrington
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Allen, Brian Michael, MD Allen, Brian Michael, MD
4.9 /5
132 surveys
860.223.0800
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Plainville
Castiglione, Charles Leonard, MD, FACS Castiglione, Charles Leonard, MD, FACS
4.9 /5
127 surveys
860.548.7338
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Farmington
  • Hartford
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Bluestein, Harvey Jay, MD Bluestein, Harvey Jay, MD 203.254.8557
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Fairfield
  • Norwalk
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Smith, Steven Scott, MD Smith, Steven Scott, MD
4.8 /5
164 surveys
860.548.7338
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Hand Surgery
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  • Farmington
  • Glastonbury
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Bass, David Martin, MD Bass, David Martin, MD 860.972.1153
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Hand Surgery
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  • Hartford
Babigian, Alan, MD, FACS Babigian, Alan, MD, FACS
4.9 /5
187 surveys
860.548.7338
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Hand Surgery
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  • Farmington
  • Hartford
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Cech, Alex Charles, MD Cech, Alex Charles, MD
4.9 /5
139 surveys
860.548.7338
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Farmington
  • Glastonbury
  • Hartford
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Hughes, Christopher David, MD Hughes, Christopher David, MD 860.548.7338
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • General Surgery
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  • Farmington
Vega, Daniella, MD Vega, Daniella, MD 860.548.7338
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Breast Surgery
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  • Farmington
  • Avon
  • Plainville
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Craig, Elizabeth Stirling, MD Craig, Elizabeth Stirling, MD
4.9 /5
95 surveys
475.210.7002
  • Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Bridgeport
  • Milford
  • Westport
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Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute