Risk analysis in surgical oncology-part II: risk and the practising surgeon

Surgery for cancer imparts a high risk of morbidity and premature mortality. Inappropriate decisions and inadequate information can have a profound effect on the outcome of interventions. A formal process of appraisal of options, aided by modern information technology, may help rationalize and improve management stratagems and reduce risk. Rigorous and obsessional attention to risks in clinical and surgical procedures and processes, including the selection and training of surgeons, process and human reliability analysis, and ubiquitous error reduction strategies will also help minimize risk. These approaches will have a significant bearing on familiar surgical practice and will need to be extended across the multidisciplinary spectrum of cancer care.