Breast Cancer Surgery
For most women with breast cancer, surgery is part of the treatment process. Lutheran Health Physicians breast oncology surgeons focus on an interdisciplinary approach to treatment, serving as the primary physician to evaluate and treat patients with all types of breast disease. If patients are diagnosed with cancer, they oversee the surgical portion of disease management and coordinate additional treatment and testing, which may include, chemotherapy, radiation, genetic testing and/or imaging, in any combination.
Mastectomies and lumpectomies are performed with a focus on the oncoplastic technique, a method of removing breast cancer while retaining the breast's normal shape and appearance. Plastic surgeons operate in conjunction with the breast oncology surgeon so reconstruction is immediate, when possible.
Conditions treated include:
- Benign and malignant breast disease
- Breast abscesses
- Breast cysts
- Breast hamartomas
- Breast pain
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
- Invasive cancers
- Nipple adenoma
- Nipple discharge
- Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
- Recurrent cancers
Procedures performed include:
- Axillary lymph node dissections
- Breast conservation surgeries
- Excisional biopsies (ultrasound-guided and wire localized)
- Sentinel lymph node biopsies
- Skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomies
- Traditional mastectomies
Additional services include:
- Abscess and cyst drainage
- BRCA testing/risk assessment
- Evaluation and treatment for breast pain
- Fine needle aspiration of lymph nodes
- Injections for breast pain caused by neuromas
- Referrals for interdisciplinary care