In almost everything, training, experience, talent and dedication are elements predictive of success. In the treatment of cancer, these things can mean the difference between life and death. Add a dose of compassion, and you have Surgical Oncology Associates, the only cancer practice in South Texas comprised entirely of fellowship-trained surgical and orthopedic oncologists.

“Many people don’t realize the important role the surgical and orthopedic oncologist plays in the treatment of cancer,” says Dr. Morton S. Kahlenberg, medical director of Surgical Oncology Associates. “Because we receive three to four additional years of specialized fellowship training in the treatment of cancer, surgical oncologists have the advantage of additional technical skill, focused cancer expertise and the intellectual training necessary to understand the complexities of the treatment of cancer.

“We speak the same language as the medical oncologist and the radiation oncologist, so with this multi-disciplinary approach, together we are better able to fight and beat cancer.”

Surgical Oncology Associates includes the talents of Kahlenberg, Dr. David L. Smith and Dr. Spencer Frink. Each brings a unique set of skills and experience to the team, and all were trained at major cancer centers in the United States. The surgical care they are able to offer patients in San Antonio and South Texas is on par with the renowned cancer treatment offered at MD Anderson in Houston.

The three together create a powerhouse of knowledge, experience and skills that are brought to bear on the cancer cases they treat. Frink is one of only two orthopedic oncologists in South Texas. For cancers of the bone, he is the physician you want on your team.

“Research has shown that outcomes are better when an orthopedic oncologist is involved in the treatment of bone cancers,” Frink says. “The additional training orthopedic oncologists possess can really make a difference in limb preservation, pain management, mobility and survivability.”

“The literature shows that outcomes are better, and patients are more likely to survive if they are treated by someone [who] specializes in and does a lot of these complex cases,” Smith says. “Treating cancer is all we do. It’s all we think about. If you needed chemotherapy, you wouldn’t consider having your primary care doctor give it to you, so for these more difficult cancer surgeries, you want the physician with the most experience and expertise.”

Kahlenberg cites a recent case involving a patient with pancreatic cancer similar to that suffered by actor Patrick Swayze that illustrates the advantages afforded by Surgical Oncology Associates.

“The patient had locally advanced cancer of the pancreas and had been told he was not a candidate for surgery,” Kahlenberg says. “Working with his medical oncologist and radiation oncologist, we decided to try and shrink the tumor with chemotherapy and radiation first to bring it to an operable size.

“The tumor responded to the treatment, I was able to remove it surgically and today he is doing well. This type of approach results in better outcomes, even in the case of these bad cancers.”

Kahlenberg says the multi-disciplinary approach can also work to conserve breast tissue in the case of breast cancers, allowing women to have a choice other than mastectomy.

Another approach employed by the surgeons in the care of patients with complex cancers is having two surgical oncologists at the operating room table. Research shows a correlation between the two-surgeon technique and improved outcomes. It might not be an overstatement to say that these surgeons make miracles happen.

“Surgery cures cancer,” Smith says. “For most cancers – breast, colon and other solid tumors – if they can’t be cut out, they can’t be cured by and large. Chemotherapy can extend life, [and] radiation is trying to help us out, but our goal as surgeons is to cure the patient.

“I have had four patients in the last six months, all in their 30s, who were told to get their affairs in order because nobody could help them. I was able to operate on them, and now post-surgery, they are all doing well. They could not be happier because they were told they had a death sentence. A huge thing we offer is hope.”

One of Frink’s patients had not walked for six months and was in constant pain. Today she is walking again, and her pain is manageable. In another recent case, in a 16-hour surgery, the three surgeons removed a tumor the size of a basketball and a major portion of the man’s pelvis and then reconstructed it.

“We got the whole thing, and the patient is doing well and up and walking again, thanks to our team,” Frink says.

Stories like these are possible due to the training and education of the three physicians. All three completed fellowship oncology training at prestigious teaching centers: Kahlenberg at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and Smith and Frink at the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

In addition to their fellowship training, all three surgeons have a desire to work with cancer patients. They treat the entire age spectrum, working with patients as young as 8 months old to people in their 90s.

“Many people tell me that it must be a depressing job,” Kahlenberg says. “It’s not. It’s a privilege to be a part of the lives of patients and their families at such a critical point. Being part of the cure or dramatically reducing symptoms and pain is a good feeling.”

“Being able to cure, or at least improve the quality of life, for patients is very rewarding,” Frink says. “Helping them beat the disease, get rid of their pain, return to mobility and back to enjoying life – I feel good about that.”

“The most rewarding thing is helping patients get through this extraordinarily tough time,” Smith says. “When they first hear the diagnosis they think, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to die,’ so when they come out the other end gratified that they not only survived, but are looking at a long, healthy, normal life… that’s what it’s all about.”

Rounding out the care provided at Surgical Oncology Associates is nurse practitioner Mary Salazar. Salazar brings almost 20 years of experience working with cancer patients at John Hopkins and the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

“Salazar is amazing with our patients,” Kahlenberg says. “She has the experience, training and compassion to provide just what they need.”

Preventing cancer and catching it early is a major focus for the doctors. In fact, not all patients have cancer when they seek the expertise of Surgical Oncology Associates.

“We also focus on the surgical prevention of cancer by caring for patients at increased risk for future cancer due to inherited syndromes and patients who present with pre-malignant conditions,” Kahlenberg says.

Cancer is a scary diagnosis. The Surgical Oncology Associates team walks a delicate balance between being realistic and encouraging.

“A lot of the anxiety is in the unknown,” Kahlenberg says, “so we spend a lot of time with patients, educating them, letting them know that we are committed to beating the cancer and that they have a fighting chance.”

“With current chemotherapy and surgical intervention, 60 to 70 percent of the people with cancers that have not metastasized beat their disease,” Frink says.

Kahlenberg perhaps sums it up best: “We empower patients, focus on what is positive and let them know that they are not alone.”

Surgical Oncology Associates of South Texas has two convenient locations:

8715 Village Drive, Ste. 620

502 Madison Oak, The Atrium, Ste. 130

To schedule an appointment, please call 210-946-1400 or visit www.surgoncsouthtexas.com to find out more.