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Breast Surgical Oncologists

Breast surgical oncologists are general surgeons who have additional fellowship training in breast cancer surgery. The breast surgical oncologist is responsible for assessing the newly diagnosed breast cancer patient, determining appropriate surgical therapy, educating patients about their options, performing breast surgical procedures, providing postoperative care and surveillance, and coordinating adjuvant therapies. The breast surgical oncologist works closely with other breasts cancer specialists, such as medical and radiation oncologists, to create a customized treatment plan for each individual patient.

Major aspects of practice for a breast surgical oncologist include:

  • Surgical management of carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer
  • Surgical procedures such as mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy, skin and nipple sparing/preserving mastectomy, wire-guided lumpectomy (partial mastectomy), wire-guided excisional biopsy, sentinel node biopsy, and axillary node dissection
  • Perioperative care after breast surgical procedures
  • Primary prevention of breast cancer
  • Identification of high risk individuals and recommendations for screening, surveillance and chemoprevention
  • Evaluation and treatment of benign breast disease, including: infectious disorders of the breast; lactational and nonlactational mastitis; etiology and management of matodynia (breast pain); nipple discharge and ductal secretions; management of benign breast lesions (cysts, fibroadenomas, fibroepithelial lesions)