Complete Breast Care

Like many of you, several people on our staff have been personally touched by breast cancer in a close family member. Our physicians have developed a particular interest in this area of medicine, along with a strong belief in the importance of innovative treatment. As a result, our patients have access to one of the area’s only in-office ultrasound machines for breast cancer detection as well as ultrasound and mammogram guided breast biopsy techniques. Additionally, our doctors attend frequent seminars to learn the most advanced techniques.

Our physicians are experienced in the most advanced surgical techniques in breast cancer treatment, including breast-saving lumpectomy and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy. All procedures are performed locally allowing our patients and their families the reassurance and comfort of treatment close to home in the expert care of a surgeon they know and trust.

Complete Breast Care

Worldwide, there are approximately 1 million new cases of breast cancer annually. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women in the United States accounting for an estimated 215,990 new cases and 40,110 deaths in 2004 according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer accounts for approximately 30 percent of all cancer diagnosed and approximately 16 percent of all cancer deaths in American women. In the USA, the incidence of breast cancer increases with age, and a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is estimated at 1 in 8.

Breast cancer surgery at the beginning of the twentieth century was one procedure, Radical Mastectomy (removal of the entire breast, underlying chest muscle and lymph nodes in the axilla). In the 1970’s, it became apparent that the same results could be obtained with Modified Radical Mastectomy (entire breast and axillary lymph nodes removed). In the 1980’s, breast conservation surgery evolved when it became apparent that the same results or better could be obtained with lumpectomy (limited breast removal), axillary dissection and radiation to remainder of the breast. Today, sentinel lymph node biopsy is being carried out on breast cancer patients to determine when axillary dissection is necessary, avoiding potential arm swelling in many patients.

The physicians of Thibodaux Surgical Specialists evaluate patients from the moment any abnormality of the breasts (including abnormalities of mammogram or breast ultrasound) is found. Careful evaluation is then performed to determine need for biopsy or close follow up evaluation. With a diagnosis of breast cancer, patients are monitored throughout completion of surgical therapy, as well as throughout a lifetime for the possible development of recurrent or new breast cancer.

Non-cancerous conditions such as fibroadenomas, cysts, nipple discharge, fibrocystic change, infections, and pain are also evaluated and treated. The Gail Model Risk Assessment is performed on all patients presenting for breast evaluation. This can identify patients at high risk for breast cancer. These patients may be offered prophylactic medical therapy and long term monitoring.