I operate on tumors of the abdominal organs, the retroperitoneum and the pelvis — from colon and rectal cancer to liver metastases, tumors of the pancreas, adrenal glands and ovaries. A large share of the operations is performed laparoscopically.
Below are the diagnoses grouped by organ. Choose yours: the page for a diagnosis explains how it is confirmed, when surgery is indicated and when another treatment is needed first, how the operation is performed and what recovery involves.
- Benign conditions and hernias4
Colon and rectum
The main area of practice. The extent of surgery is determined by the location of the tumor and by the findings of colonoscopy, CT and pelvic MRI; when the tumor location and the extent of resection allow it, the operation is performed laparoscopically.
Colorectal cancer
An overview page for this area: how tumors of the colon and rectum are detected, which tests are needed before surgery, and how operations on different segments of the bowel differ.
Colon cancer
Resection of the affected segment of the bowel with lymph node dissection. The approach is decided before surgery, based on colonoscopy with biopsy and on CT.
Sigmoid colon cancer
The most common site of colorectal cancer. The extent of resection depends on how far the tumor has spread and on the condition of the bowel at the time of surgery.
Rectal cancer
The decision is made after pelvic MRI and discussion by the multidisciplinary team (MDT): some patients first need radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, and only then surgery.
Precancerous conditions of the colon
Polyps, villous tumors, familial adenomatous polyposis: when endoscopic removal and surveillance are enough, and when resection is needed.
Recurrent colorectal cancer and recurrent pelvic tumors
Repeat operations after incomplete (R1/R2) resections, including resection of adjacent organs. They require separate work-up and planning.
Liver and bile ducts
Liver resections, including laparoscopic ones, and operations on the bile ducts. A separate area is colorectal liver metastases: resectability is assessed by contrast-enhanced CT or MRI, and the conclusion may differ from a previous opinion.
Colorectal liver metastases
Synchronous and metachronous metastases: assessment of resectability, extent of resection, simultaneous and staged operations, and combination with chemotherapy.
Liver metastases from other tumors
Metastatic involvement of the liver in tumors of the stomach, pancreas, kidney and breast, and in melanoma — when resection is appropriate and when it is not.
Liver cancer: hepatocellular carcinoma
Work-up, assessment of liver function and of the volume of the future liver remnant, resection and ablation methods.
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
A tumor arising from the intrahepatic bile ducts: diagnosis, assessment of spread and the extent of resection.
Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor)
A tumor at the confluence of the bile ducts: biliary drainage, preparation for surgery and resection.
Gallbladder cancer
Often found incidentally, on histology after the gallbladder has been removed. In such cases the question of a repeat radical operation is considered.
Obstructive jaundice caused by a tumor
Impaired bile flow caused by a tumor: restoring drainage as the first step, after which the main treatment becomes possible.
Esophagus, stomach and small bowel
Tumors of the upper digestive tract, including rare ones — neuroendocrine and stromal — that call for a separate approach to work-up and to the extent of surgery.
Small bowel cancer
A rare site with nonspecific symptoms: why the diagnosis is often made late and how the operation is planned.
Duodenal tumors
Benign and malignant tumors of the duodenum and the major papilla: the extent of surgery depends on size, location and histology.
Neuroendocrine tumors of the bowel (carcinoid)
They grow slowly and cause no symptoms for a long time. They require specific tests before surgery and a separate follow-up plan afterwards.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)
Tumors arising from the wall of the stomach or the bowel. The key point is to remove the tumor without rupturing it; some patients need targeted therapy before or after surgery.
Stomach cancer
The extent of resection ranges from partial to complete removal of the stomach with lymph node dissection; the approach is set by the stage and by the results of endoscopy with biopsy.
Esophageal cancer
Work-up, staging and the patient pathway: when treatment starts with surgery and when it starts with chemoradiotherapy.
Pancreas
Pancreatic surgery is the most demanding area of abdominal surgery: the approach is decided after contrast-enhanced CT and assessment of vascular involvement.
Pancreatic cancer
Work-up, assessment of resectability, the extent of the operation and the sequence of treatment — when chemotherapy comes first and when surgery does.
Borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic tumors
Tumors involving major veins and arteries: chemotherapy before surgery, vascular resection and reconstruction — for patients who were refused surgery.
Adrenal glands and the retroperitoneum
Tumors that require preparation for surgery together with an endocrinologist, and extensive operations in the retroperitoneum.
Adrenal tumors
Pheochromocytoma, aldosteronoma, incidentaloma, adrenal cancer: hormonal work-up before surgery and laparoscopic removal when the size and location of the tumor allow it.
Retroperitoneal sarcomas and other soft-tissue tumors of the retroperitoneum
Tumors of the retroperitoneum and the pelvis, which often reach a large size and require surgery on adjacent organs and vessels.
Peritoneal carcinomatosis
Involvement of the peritoneum in tumors of the abdominal organs. Whether cytoreductive surgery is possible is decided by the extent of the disease and the condition of the patient.
Uterus and ovaries
Gynecologic oncology surgery, including cytoreductive procedures for advanced ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer
Often found at a late stage. The extent of surgery depends on how far the disease has spread; treatment combines surgery and chemotherapy.
Cancer of the uterine body
The most common gynecologic cancer. The first symptom is bleeding between periods or after menopause; surgery is the mainstay of treatment.
Cervical cancer
Diagnosis, staging and the extent of surgery; in some patients radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy is indicated.
Benign conditions and hernias
Non-cancerous conditions that I operate on using the same minimally invasive techniques.
Benign liver lesions
Adenoma, hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia, cysts: when observation is enough and when the lesion has to be removed.
Gallstone disease and gallbladder polyps
Elective laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder; separately, the indications for surgery in gallbladder polyps.
Pancreatic cysts
True cysts and pseudocysts: observation, work-up to rule out a tumor, and the indications for surgery.
Hernias
Hiatal hernia, inguinal, umbilical, incisional, epigastric (linea alba), parastomal hernia, diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles.
How the decision to operate is made
Work-up before the decision
The decision to operate is made after a complete work-up: CT or MRI with contrast, endoscopy with biopsy, a histology report, and laboratory tests.
Laparoscopic approach
A large share of procedures on the bowel, liver, adrenal glands, and pelvic organs is performed laparoscopically — less surgical trauma and a shorter recovery. Whether this approach is possible depends on the size and location of the tumor and on previous operations.
Where the operations take place
National Cancer Institute, 33/43 Yulii Zdanovskoi St., Kyiv. Consultations are also held in Ivano-Frankivsk, 10 Hutsulska St.
Who performs the surgery
Kateryna Valikhnovska, MD, surgical oncologist, PhD. She operates on tumors of the abdominal organs, the retroperitoneum, and the pelvis, works with laparoscopic techniques, and performs repeat surgery after incomplete (R1/R2) resections.
She personally reviews every diagnosis page on this site before it is published.
- 9,500hours in the operating room
- 13+years in surgery
- 30diagnoses in the list of areas covered
Frequently asked questions
I did not find my diagnosis in the list — what should I do?
Send your discharge summary and the results of your examinations. I will tell you whether this falls within my specialization and, if needed, refer you to the appropriate specialist.
Which operations are performed laparoscopically?
A large share of procedures on the colon and rectum, liver, adrenal glands, and pelvic organs. Whether a laparoscopic approach is possible depends on the size and location of the tumor, previous operations, and coexisting conditions — this is decided after the work-up.
Where do the operations and consultations take place?
Operations are performed at the National Cancer Institute, 33/43 Yulii Zdanovskoi St., Kyiv. Consultations are held in Kyiv and in Ivano-Frankivsk, 10 Hutsulska St.
What should I bring to the first consultation?
The results of all examinations, histology slides and reports, CT, MRI, or PET-CT discs, and discharge summaries from other hospitals about previous treatment — surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy.
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