A doctor who specializes in surgery related to the breast manages both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) conditions. The specific job title often reflects the surgeon’s primary focus and advanced training. However, the core role remains the surgical management of breast diseases. Understanding the precise terminology helps patients locate the most appropriate expert for their individual care.
The Specific Titles Used
The most common titles for this specialist are “Breast Surgeon” or “Breast Surgical Oncologist.” A Breast Surgeon focuses their practice almost exclusively on diseases of the breast, demonstrating a commitment beyond that of a general surgeon. The title “Breast Surgical Oncologist” emphasizes additional training dedicated to breast cancer treatment.
These specialists begin their career by completing a residency in General Surgery. They then pursue further specialized training, often a fellowship, concentrating on breast-specific procedures and cancer biology. While “Surgical Oncologist” is a broader designation for a cancer surgeon, when applied to breast care, it generally indicates the same highly specialized practitioner.
Surgical Procedures Performed
The primary function of the breast surgeon involves the surgical removal of disease and the performance of diagnostic procedures. For a suspicious area, they may perform an excisional biopsy, removing the entire mass for analysis by a pathologist. This confirms the diagnosis and helps determine the next steps in treatment.
When treating cancer, the surgeon performs definitive procedures to remove the cancerous tissue. These range from a lumpectomy, which removes the tumor and a surrounding margin of healthy tissue, to a mastectomy, which involves removing the entire breast. They also perform sentinel lymph node mapping and biopsy to check if cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes.
Collaboration with Other Specialists
Breast care operates on a multidisciplinary model, where the surgeon acts as a central coordinator within a team of experts. They work closely with a Radiologist, who provides diagnostic imaging like mammograms and ultrasounds, and a Pathologist, who analyzes tissue samples to confirm the disease type and stage. This communication ensures an accurate diagnosis and surgical plan.
The surgeon collaborates with Medical Oncologists, who manage systemic treatments like chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy, which may be administered before or after surgery. Radiation Oncologists plan and deliver radiation treatment, frequently recommended following a lumpectomy. For patients undergoing a mastectomy, a Plastic Surgeon is an important partner, often performing breast reconstruction procedures.
Required Education and Training
The path to becoming a specialized breast surgeon involves a decade or more of post-graduate medical education. This begins with four years of medical school, followed by a rigorous five-year residency program in General Surgery. This residency equips them with broad surgical competence across various body systems.
Many practitioners then complete a dedicated one- to two-year fellowship. This advanced training focuses exclusively on breast surgery and oncology, providing comprehensive experience in complex surgical techniques and cancer management. After this extensive training, the surgeon must obtain board certification, demonstrating a high level of competency in their field.