Solid Tumor Surgery

Learn about retinoblastoma

Vision-sparing surgery

St. Jude has one of the most recognized treatment teams in the country for retinoblastoma, the most common childhood eye cancer. We work with St. Jude scientists to develop new, less-toxic treatments and surgeries for retinoblastoma. These techniques include laser and cryotherapy. 

Our retinoblastoma team works to preserve your child’s eyes and vision, as well as their life.

What to know

When your child comes to St. Jude for retinoblastoma treatment, a doctor called a pathologist studies a sample of your child’s cancer under a microscope. The pathologist, surgeon, and oncologist (cancer doctor) discuss your child’s tumor and decide if more surgery is needed.

If the tumor is cancerous, treatment will begin right away. Treatment will depend on the tumor’s type, size, and location. Most tumors are treated with a laser or by freezing. Freezing is also known as cryotherapy.

Throughout treatment, your child will be seen every few weeks by a St. Jude ophthalmologist (eye doctor) and oncologist. Your child may need to continue to see a local ophthalmologist once a year, but they will also visit St. Jude for regular checkups.

Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer of the retina usually diagnosed before a child is 3 years old. At St. Jude, scientists, oncologists, and surgeons work together to treat these young patients. Follow retinoblastoma patients’ journeys from diagnosis to treatment.

Learn about osteosarcoma Learn about Ewing sarcoma

Limb-sparing surgery

For decades, St. Jude has saved the lives and limbs of children with common bone cancers like osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. Today, many of our patients with bone tumors have some type of limb-sparing procedure. This allows us to remove tumors without harming nearby nerves and blood vessels.

What to know

Most children with bone cancer will have surgery. Our surgeons will remove part of the tumor to learn what kind of cancer it is. This is called a biopsy. After chemotherapy treatment, we will remove as much of the tumor as possible.

Our surgeons are skilled in limb-sparing techniques, including bone grafts and implants. One type of implant is known as a prosthesis. Our surgeons may implant a prosthesis to replace all or part of a bone in an arm or leg. We specialize in prostheses that can expand as children age. The implant is lengthened as the child’s body grows. We will work with you and the care team to decide what type of surgery is best for your child.

At St. Jude, we follow our patients closely. If the cancer returns, we can find it as early as possible. This may reduce the need for another surgery.

Your child may need reconstructive surgery to reshape or rebuild a body part after a tumor is removed. Our team includes world-renowned plastic surgeons who focus on treating children.

We also provide rehabilitation and other care to support your child after surgery.

Learn about neuroblastoma

Surgery for complex solid tumors

Neuroblastoma is a cancer that affects nerve tissue. Studies have shown that surgery alone may be a good treatment option for children with low-risk neuroblastoma. 

Surgery and other therapy may be needed for children whose disease has spread or is likely to come back after surgery. We use special procedures to remove neuroblastoma tumors without damaging other organs. 

What to know

Our surgeons remove part of the tumor to learn what kind of cancer it is. This is called a biopsy. Then, we remove as much of the tumor as possible. During surgery, our experienced surgeons carefully separate the tumor from delicate blood vessels and vital organs. 

Learn about Wilms tumor

Kidney-sparing surgery

Wilms tumor, also known as nephroblastoma, is a type of kidney cancer in children. Almost all childhood kidney tumors are Wilms tumors. When the cancer is in 1 kidney, it is called unilateral Wilms tumor. Our surgeons are experts in performing complex surgeries for children with unilateral Wilms tumor.

When the tumor is in both kidneys, it is called bilateral Wilms tumor. Our surgeons delicately remove these tumors while preserving as much kidney function as possible.

What to know

Surgery plays a critical role in Wilms tumor treatment. Our main goal is always to cure, but saving kidney function is also important.

Surgery to remove a kidney is called is called a nephrectomy. At St. Jude, we use a technique called nephron-sparing surgery to remove the tumor and leave as much kidney function as possible.

Doctors diagnosed Ruthie with bilateral Wilms tumor at 8 months old. Faced with the prospect of their child losing both kidneys, possible transplant, and dialysis, Ruthie’s parents searched for surgical services that offered experience and expertise. Luckily for Ruthie, they found St. Jude.