Breast Cancer Surgeons
Find exceptional breast cancer surgeons on the North Shore.
Patients on Boston’s North Shore who require breast cancer surgery may see exceptional breast cancer surgeons through the Breast Health Center of Salem Hospital, a member of Mass General Brigham. The Breast Health Center is a multidisciplinary collaboration between Salem Hospital and Mass General. Our breast cancer surgeons work together with experts from the Mass General Cancer Center in Danvers to determine the best course of treatment for each patient. Our breast cancer surgeons provide comprehensive treatment in breast health, aided by leading-edge technology such as digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography). They also work in tandem with our plastic surgeons who provide breast reconstruction, as needed.
Procedures performed by our breast cancer surgeons.
Our breast cancer surgeons offer comprehensive surgical care, including:
- Surgical biopsy. In this procedure, breast cancer surgeons remove a sample of a lump or a suspicious area so it may be evaluated by a pathologist.
- Lumpectomy and mastectomy. In a lumpectomy procedure to remove cancerous tissue, a portion of the breast is preserved, while a mastectomy involves removal of the entre breast. With recent new technologies, more patients are able to undergo aggressive treatment while sparing more of their breast tissue. Our breast cancer surgeons will help you decide on the right procedure for your condition, and may recommend the option of systemic chemotherapy treatment before surgery is performed.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy. Lymphatic mapping with sentinel-node biopsy helps breast cancer surgeons determine whether cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes without needing to perform a full lymph node dissection.
Breast cancer surgeons manage treatment for high-risk patients.
Our breast cancer surgeons work closely with medical oncologists to treat patients who have a high risk of breast cancer. These patients may require more frequent and advanced diagnostic testing and may be prescribed breast cancer prevention medications. They may also may participate in genetic testing and counseling, or be counseled to change certain aspects of their lifestyle.
Plastic surgeons perform reconstructive breast surgery for cancer patients.
Our breast cancer surgeons collaborate with plastic and reconstructive surgeons to provide reconstruction as needed. They review patients’ goals, medical history, physical exams and potential need for additional cancer treatment before deciding on the most appropriate type of reconstruction.
Many reconstructive options can be performed at the time of a mastectomy or lumpectomy, and our breast surgeons are experts in skin-sparing mastectomies. Immediate reconstructive surgery is possible for nearly all breast cancer surgery patients.
Diagnostic services available from The Breast Health Center.
The Breast Health Center offers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services, including annual screenings, tomosynthesis mammography, diagnostic breast ultrasound, and breast MRI services.
