Surgical oncology

Abstract

Cancer is a disease of the genes. In the last two decades new technologies have allowed us to interrogate the genome more efficiently and faster. This has led to new therapies and improved understanding of cancers. It is clear the few cancers are caused by just one gene defect and in these rare cases the defective gene or its product is a target for therapeutic intervention. The bigger challenge now is to use this paradigm against multi-genic cancers which are far more common and more complex in their genetic makeup.