Anthony Chambers specialises in all aspects of surgery for Breast Cancer and other breast disorders.
Surgery to successfully remove a breast cancer remains the most important treatment for this condition. The aim of the surgery is to completely remove the breast cancer, as well as to remove any lymph nodes that the cancer may have spread to.
The options for surgery to remove the breast cancer may include the following techniques:
- Breast Conserving Surgery (‘Lumpectomy’ or ‘Partial Mastectomy’)
- Total mastectomy
- Subcutaneous (‘skin sparing’) mastectomy with reconstruction
- Nipple sparing mastectomy with reconstruction
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy
- Lymph node dissection
The type of surgery required to successfully treat a breast cancer depends on multiple factors. These include the type of cancer, the size of the tumour, where the cancer is located within the breast, the size of the breast itself, whether any spread to lymph nodes has occurred and whether any other treatments such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy will be necessary. Other factors such as a strong family history may also need to be taken into consideration.
The most important role of a breast surgeon is to work with the patient to decide what operation will give the best results. This means choosing the operation that will give the best chances of successfully curing the cancer, as well as the best cosmetic result for the patient.
Breast Cancer Assessment
For patients with a suspected breast cancer, a complete assessment will be conducted to work out what is the best treatment. This involves taking a complete history and then performing a breast examination. Patients will then require mammograms and ultrasound examinations of both breasts. Any suspicious lumps in the breast seen on these tests will require a biopsy using either a fine needle technique, or a core biopsy performed in the radiology department.
For patients who have already had mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsies performed with their family doctor, our office will obtain all of these results so that they can be reviewed during your initial consultation.
For patients with a suspected breast lump, our office will arrange and book any mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies or other tests that you may need prior to your initial consultation.
Other treatments for Breast Cancer
Some patients with breast cancer will require further treatment after their surgery. This can include the following:
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Endocrine therapy
- Genetic testing
The decision about what further treatments are required is made after all the pathology results from the surgery have been received.
St Vincent’s Hospital Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Meetings
All breast cancer patients have their cases discussed with their permission at the St Vincent’s Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Meeting. This is held every week at The Kinghorn Cancer Centre.
The MDT team is comprised of breast surgeons, chemotherapy and radiation therapy specialists, clinical genetics specialists, a plastic reconstructive surgeon and breast care nurses.
The team reviews all of the pathology and test results and comes up with recommendations for further treatments.
Our office will coordinate all of the referrals for radiotherapy, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy and genetic testing.
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy services can be provided at St Vincent’s Hospital, or at a Cancer Centre closer to the home of the patient.
