General surgeon or surgical oncologist for lumpectomy?

sunrisema
sunrisema Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
i was just diagnosed with DCIS with a higly suspicious area for microinvasion. The only surgeons in my area are general. I would think that an oncologist would be able to do a better job...ie making sure they get a large enough area, but not too large...etc. Any recommendations?

Comments

  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #2
    Hi Sunrisema
    Unfortunately, many "general" surgeons perform a lot of biopsies for potential breast cancer as there are so many afflicted with this. So I'm sure many are experienced. I literally walked out of the Radiologist's office after a annual routine mammo and sono right into the office of a general surgeon who was waiting for me. Talk about feeling I was in a bad dream! And I didn't have an oncologist yet.

    The general surgeon (as most) are experienced in performing these types of biopsies. You could call a few of the surgeons and ask this question to see how many they do.

    Get used to "asking" because that's the best way you're going to find answers.

    I noticed this was your 1st post. Welcome, I'm glad you're here. I'm sorry it had to be under this circumstance. I can tell you that you're in the right place. You are a "sister" amongst MANY sisters who are ready and willing to give advice, support and share their experiences.

    You'll get through this!

    Best wishes,

    Sylvia
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #3
    sea60 said:

    Hi Sunrisema
    Unfortunately, many "general" surgeons perform a lot of biopsies for potential breast cancer as there are so many afflicted with this. So I'm sure many are experienced. I literally walked out of the Radiologist's office after a annual routine mammo and sono right into the office of a general surgeon who was waiting for me. Talk about feeling I was in a bad dream! And I didn't have an oncologist yet.

    The general surgeon (as most) are experienced in performing these types of biopsies. You could call a few of the surgeons and ask this question to see how many they do.

    Get used to "asking" because that's the best way you're going to find answers.

    I noticed this was your 1st post. Welcome, I'm glad you're here. I'm sorry it had to be under this circumstance. I can tell you that you're in the right place. You are a "sister" amongst MANY sisters who are ready and willing to give advice, support and share their experiences.

    You'll get through this!

    Best wishes,

    Sylvia

    I would find a surgeon who
    I would find a surgeon who speciaslizes in breast cancer. My surgeon is a well respected breast surgeon, and thats all she does, i really trust her. Welcome from me too!
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #4
    carkris said:

    I would find a surgeon who
    I would find a surgeon who speciaslizes in breast cancer. My surgeon is a well respected breast surgeon, and thats all she does, i really trust her. Welcome from me too!

    I'm very happy with my general surgeon
    Welcome, Sunrise -

    As Sylvia said, unfortunately, breast cancer has become common enough that many general surgeons have lots of experience with it. My surgeon, who works in a medium-sized hospital in the West San Fernando Valley, does several lumpectomies every week.

    I think the three key things to ask are: 1) How much experience does he/she have with breast cancer surgery, 2) How closely does he/she work with an oncologist, and 3) Do YOU feel comfortable in your gut after you meet him/her?

    I felt very comfortable with my general surgeon's experience with breast cancer, with how many patients he and my oncologist share, and with how closely they work together, discuss every appointment and test with each other, etc.

    To be honest, when I was diagnosed, I had lots of friends urge me to go somewhere with a more specialized cancer center: UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, etc. I'm very happy that I didn't, and have no regrets about sticking with my gut and the doctors I chose.

    Traci
  • Eil4186
    Eil4186 Member Posts: 949
    #5
    A general surgeon did my
    A general surgeon did my lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy. He did a fabulous job, but breast surgery was the bulk of his practice. I would call the surgeons in your area and inquire as to what percentage of each of thier paractices are made up of breast surgery. Good luck. Keep us posted. Eil
  • Tux
    Tux Member Posts: 544
    #6
    A general surgeon did my
    A general surgeon did my lumpectomy--he does lots of them & is highly respected; was able to do it 5 days after dx; I am very happy with lack of scarring. Good luck in your treatment!
  • sal314
    sal314 Member Posts: 599 Member
    #7
    General Surgeon Who Specializes
    The surgeon that did my lumpectomy was a general surgeon, but specialized in breast cancer and that's what he did exclusively. I loved him and trusted him. It didn't hurt either that my mom, who is a nurse in the O.R., worked with him for 30 years and said he has the best hands and was the BEST surgeon she's ever worked with. So...just make sure who ever you "hire" has lots of experience with breast cancer.

    I was so sad when he moved to California. He is now head of the Surgical Oncology Center at USC.

    Sally
  • Pinkpower
    Pinkpower Member Posts: 437
    #8
    sal314 said:

    General Surgeon Who Specializes
    The surgeon that did my lumpectomy was a general surgeon, but specialized in breast cancer and that's what he did exclusively. I loved him and trusted him. It didn't hurt either that my mom, who is a nurse in the O.R., worked with him for 30 years and said he has the best hands and was the BEST surgeon she's ever worked with. So...just make sure who ever you "hire" has lots of experience with breast cancer.

    I was so sad when he moved to California. He is now head of the Surgical Oncology Center at USC.

    Sally

    I too had a general surgeon
    I too had a general surgeon and he was great, hardly can notice where I had surgery. I choose him to do the surgery cause he was very experienced in Breast Cancer. He did at least 200 surgeries a year due to breast cancer. Pick one that makes you feel he is knowledgeable and caring.

    Lupe
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #9
    Pinkpower said:

    I too had a general surgeon
    I too had a general surgeon and he was great, hardly can notice where I had surgery. I choose him to do the surgery cause he was very experienced in Breast Cancer. He did at least 200 surgeries a year due to breast cancer. Pick one that makes you feel he is knowledgeable and caring.

    Lupe

    Traci, Lupe and the others are all right ...
    Make sure you are comfortable .. Is he/she affliated with a Breast Cancer center - will he/she see your again and answer questions perhaps that your forgot during your first visit . how personable is your doctor. Do you feel like a number or patient...

    Best of luck, get on your computer and look up your doctors ... see if they have been published or currently in any clincial trials - relating to breast cancer .. Just my humble opinion.'



    Vicki Sam
  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490 Member
    #10
    My surgeon specializes in
    My surgeon specializes in Breast Cancer. He did my lumectomy last July. He is one of the best in my area of Pennsylvania. When I needed hernia surgery in October of 09, he recomended me to one of the general surgeons who was also fabulous. I have been lucky to have a great team of Drs.
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #11
    Surgeons
    I'm not familiar with an "oncologist surgeon.".....My surgeon is a bc specialist.....he has done this for 30 years.....he was fabulous......he was the surgeon that did my Radiologist's (where I have my mammos) breast cancer surgery 8 years ago....HE came highly recommended by numerous people......also, he does not use sutures for a lumpectomy, he uses the surgical "super glue" which was great! No suture removal and it's not as scaring.....also used on the sentinel node incision....
    I wish you the best!
  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490 Member
    #12
    MAJW said:

    Surgeons
    I'm not familiar with an "oncologist surgeon.".....My surgeon is a bc specialist.....he has done this for 30 years.....he was fabulous......he was the surgeon that did my Radiologist's (where I have my mammos) breast cancer surgery 8 years ago....HE came highly recommended by numerous people......also, he does not use sutures for a lumpectomy, he uses the surgical "super glue" which was great! No suture removal and it's not as scaring.....also used on the sentinel node incision....
    I wish you the best!

    Love that surgical
    Love that surgical "superglue" I had that for my lumpectomy and my hernia surgery.
  • SusanEliz
    SusanEliz Member Posts: 50
    #13
    Knowing I was at 'high risk"
    I went to a breast health center exclusively for the past 8 years (wanted a radiologist who wasn't also looking at broken legs, etc.) Now that I'm diagnosed, I was sent by them to someone they highly recommended, and I was suprised to see her office was considered "General Surgery". (I wanted to see "Breast Surgeon Extrordinare" on her door, but no, she's considered technically a general surgeon, who devotes most of her practice to breast health. I knew besides the recommendation that she must do mostly breasts because there were breast structure posters all over the exam room! So far, I'm very happy with her.

    Best of luck in finding a surgeon you like and trust!
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #14
    My surgeon
    was considered a general surgeon who worked for an oncology group and specialized in breast cancer. I had no problems.
    Char
  • shelbyhome
    shelbyhome Member Posts: 145
    #15
    The first 3 biopsys and
    The first 3 biopsys and lumpectomies were done by a general surgeon and the last one was done by a breast specialist who was great, she did alot with breast cancer. I believe that if you have trust in the Dr. that's important. Just do some investagating and feel good with your decision. Hugs
  • Jean T. Szabo
    Jean T. Szabo Member Posts: 193
    #16
    Lumpectomy - Surgeon
    My surgeon is licensed as a General Surgeon. She was recommended by my Primary Care Doctor. Asked around the hospital in my area and got good recommendations from them. Talked with other doctor and he also recommends his patients go to her for breast care. My Lumpectomy is on Monday, the 20th. Asking everyone for their prayers. "Googled" my doctor and found out here educational background. Trust my PC doctor as she had a masectomy a fewyears ago. If she went to my doctor for that feel that she is very qualified. Another thing...I am hearing impaired..can't use the phone..this doctor e-mails me and has electronic records. This makes communication less stessful. God Bless and good luck in your search.
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #17
    Eil4186 said:

    A general surgeon did my
    A general surgeon did my lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy. He did a fabulous job, but breast surgery was the bulk of his practice. I would call the surgeons in your area and inquire as to what percentage of each of thier paractices are made up of breast surgery. Good luck. Keep us posted. Eil

    General surgeons perform a
    General surgeons perform a lot of lumpectomy's. You could also look into having a plastic surgeon do it. I had a plastic surgeon and he did a fantastic job with my lumpectomy.

    Good luck!

    Megan
  • Kimosabe
    Kimosabe Member Posts: 43
    #18
    My doc is a general surgeon
    My doc is a general surgeon who does many lumpectomies and mastectomies. He did a great job.

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