Need advice on which surgeon to see in Toronto

Angel_zheng

Hi All;

I am posting this on behalf of my mother whom recently had her mammogram and ultra sound confirming suspicious mass in her right breast. One is 1.7cm and a node is 1 cm.  She is 52, no family history and a very healthy happy woman. She is going in for her ultrasound guided biopsy next week. Although the doctor said it might not be cancer , we need to prepare for the worst.  I understand having a great surgeon probably is the most important step in the process and I would like to ask for your help in gathering information with regards to surgeons in Toronto that are reputable/ specialize in the area of breast cancer. 

My mother's family doctor referred us to the North York general hospital for her mammogram and ultrasound. The doctor there recommended doctor Y Botros to be her surgeon, has anyone worked with this doctor?  But of course I want the best possible doctor for my mom , so I am asking for your help , either your doctor or give me some tips on how to do my research on finding the right surgeon. 

I am still in denial but the earlier I can get these Information the more informed decision I will be able to make. 

I know that Sunnybroke hospital and Princess Margret hospital are the two better know breast cancer treatment facilities in Toronto, but I was told the wait period would be long to schedule the surgery. And I found the following doctors' name under the university of Toronto breast cancer fellowship program. I have seen some of their names pop up on various topics here, should I start from these surgeons? 

         Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Jean-Francois Boileau
Claire Holloway
Frances Wright

Princess Margarret Hospital
Tulin Cil
Alexandra Easson
Jaime Escallon
Wey Leong
David McCready
Michael Reedijk

Your help is much appreciated! I just want any tips on how to move on to the next step after diagnosis. In your opinion, it is worth the longer wait time for the surgeon? 

Best regards, 

Angel

Toni68

Hi Angel,

Unfortunately I can't help as I am waiting just like your mom.  I have been going to Sunnybrook though for my biopsies.  Everyone is really nice. 

I think North York and Sunnybrook are connected hospitals.  I think I read that some people have their surgery at North York and then go to Sunnybrook for treatment. 

I have an appointment on Wednesday and may need to ask for information.  I've not heard of any of the doctors you listed and I've tried to find them on the Sunnybrook site but must be looking in the wrong places. 

I hope your mom gets some clear answers soon.

Best,

Toni

slv58

hi, I was treated at sunnybrook and Dr. Frances Wright was my BS. I loved her! She really knows her stuff and guided me through a scary process. I loved everyone on my team and felt very comfortable with decisions made. The atmosphere there is very uplifting which I believe helped me to enjoy (yes!) going there. Everyone is helpful and kind. I was put through the rapid diagnostic unit and from my first appointment to the start of neoadjuvant chemo was 3 weeks. I, initially wanted a mx,but dr. Wright said I was a perfect candidate for LX.i listened to her after much research and am glad I did. You can hardly tell I had surgery, she is an artist and I had very good margins. I don't know what else to say other than it was worth the two hour drive to go there!

otceb

Hi Angel, I had Dr. Cil from Princess Margaret (but actually had the surgery at Women's College) - Dr. Cil is great, solid professional reputation, and excellent person to deal with. Not sure about the wait time you mention - my BMx ended up being scheduled 6 weeks after my dx, but that type of wait was good for me (prep time at home and at work).  I did not have reconstruction at this point - if your mother needs a mastectomy and wants immediate reconstruction, then yes, I believe the wait would be longer since a PS would also need to be found and scheduled. Good luck!

hrf

Dr. Claire Holloway at Sunnybrook is outstanding. She did my lumpectomy and then later my mx. She is a lovely person as well as an amazing surgeon. I would even say, that she saved my life based on her ability to dx. It was missed by others.

Both Sunnybrook and Toronto General (UHN) do have immediate reconstruction units if that is an option

Sam2013

Hello Angel,

I had double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction done by Dr. Nancy Donwn (surgeon) and Dr. Mahoney (PS) at North York Hospital. They are both so wonderful and caring. They kept the scaring to the minimal, I am so impressed! My original doc was at Princess Margaret, but I went to North York because I needed to feel at ease and Dr. Down and Dr. Mahoney did just that. They are great team and love them both.

Ridley

Dr. Down at North York General did my lumpectomy (and my Mom's about 10 years ago).  She is fantastic.  When I had a mastectomy, I had to move to Princess Margaret, because that is where my plastic surgeon operates out of.  Dr. Escallon performed that surgery (the mastectomy part.  He is great too.

Meagan1965

I was 49 when I had breast cancer over 2 years ago. I happened to meet a few breast surgeons in Toronto because I wanted second opinions and because I have a strong family history (aunts and cousins) and I had many people giving me advices. I helped my younger cousin through her breast cancer treatments 7 years ago, I didn't expect that I was also given the same diagnosis 5 years later.

I met the teams from different Toronto hospitals:

1) Dr. Holloway and Lipa from Sunnybrook,

2) Dr. George and Musgrave from SMH,

3) Dr. Leong and Zhong from PMH.

While all of them were good in explaining options and probably good at what they do, I found Dr. Leong the one we connected with the most. He took the time with us and gave us the time to discuss among my family in the room, and then we were all surprised (and very impressed) that he brought the plastics surgeon Dr. Zhong into the room while we waited. The rest, like they said, was history. 2 weeks later, I had my surgery and it went very well. This was done even faster than the other two teams could do. The reconstructions went very well, I know it was Dr. Zhong's part but without Dr. Leong, I would not even have the reconstruction at all because the other teams were somewhat reluctant to do it.

I'm pretty well back to my normal daily activities and I am very happy with the reconstruction.

I'm ver grateful to Dr. Leong, just thought that I share my experience with those who arein need now. No disrespect to the other two teams, I'm sure everyone's experience and expectations are different.

Meagan (surgery 04/2015)