Who is the best breast cancer surgeon in the world?

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  • meg8000
    meg8000 Member Posts: 108
    edited January 2011

    Good luck to your sister and your family Paul.  It is a scary journey, and the surgery is certainly the least of it.  I hope you find the best team for you and that your sister does well.

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  • jan508
    jan508 Member Posts: 1,330
    edited January 2011

    Dr. Kays in Wilmington NC is also my PS.  Love, love him.  Love the hugs too!

    I'm in the middle of recon and trust him 'completely'. 

    He is the recipient of the Silent Angel award and is 'known for his recon work'. 

    I'm sure there are many PS's out there who also fall under this category.  Just be sure you do your research, get referrals (sp?) and trust your PS completely.

    Jan

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  • abycat
    abycat Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2011

    PLEASE TELL US WHAT HOSPITAL YOU WENT TO-OR WHO YOU SAW SO THAT WE CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. MANY THANKS- THIS IS MEANT FOR GRANNYDUKES.

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited January 2011
    Dr Camal.Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch NJ.
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  • claudioarzola
    claudioarzola Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2011

    Hello! I wish your sister a speedy recovery, when It comes to the best cancer center in America is the University of MD Anderson Houston Texas. With that said cancer is protocol they all do the same treatment according to what is the Diagnosed, is like getting the same milk shake everywhere. If you want the Best Breast Cancer Doctors that's were they are. You said money is not an issue with all respect it is a BIG ISSue me in my wife after 4 years of treatment spent $ one Million in a half after it was done $ 1.500.000 that's right is a lot.   insurance run out at 600 thousands we were left closed to a million so unless you are well off like we were,you may considered a financial advisor. Good luck ma am

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  • flash
    flash Member Posts: 1,685
    edited December 2011

    The best center is the one that gives you confidence and comfort.  That being said, I would always recommend a CCC or CC center that is part of the NCI system.  That is where all the research is done and the best docs gravitate towards the more prestigious cancer hospitals.  Personally, I adored Dr. Amber Guth at NYU (CC center known for BC) but know many who rave about either MD Anderson  (CCC center known for IBC) or Sloane Kettering (CCC center known for most cancer types) Wherever and whoever you pick, it must always be someone in whom you feel trust and can respect.  Good luck to all.

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  • DocBabs
    DocBabs Member Posts: 775
    edited December 2011

    Sax6thAve, Your sister is indeed one lucky girl to have you by her side.All the responses that you've received so far are very good and as you can see you can be running all over the world in search of "the Best". As pointed out there is no one best in anything.You want to start out by checking the area that she lives in.You can go generally, NE, NW ,SE etc., or state specific,NY CA,Fla. Find a either a cancer Hospital such as Slaone Kettering in NYC or a big University Hospita such as NYU. As you can see I'm in the NYC area.Then take some of the names that you received here and match them up.I think for the most part we all think that we've had "The Best" after all, why would any of us settle for less. Good luck to you and your sister and don't forget to stop every now and then and take a big breath.Let us know where you end up and how she does.

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  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited December 2011

    I second MDAnderson as being wonderful.  But I agree that most importantly a team approach is needed.  Go somewhere wehere she will get a multiple disciplinary hearing where the surgeons, oncologists, rads Onc, Plastic surgeon, ect (all specializing in breast cancer) all meet to discuss her case together BEFORE any surgery or chemo is done.  Different approaches in the beginning can force different choices in later procedures.  So, I am a believer in meeting everyone before you do anything chemo, surgery or otherwise.  At a good hospital it should only take a week or so to get this set up!

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  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited December 2011

    As an FYI, there are at least three types of surgeons that I know that do this kind of work: general surgeons, surgical oncologists, and breast surgical oncologists (all BC, all the time). I agree with the earlier comment that it would be great to get someone with a lot of experiences in BC surgery. How many cases have they seen like yours? Also, seems important to get someone who works well with the rest of the oncology team, like the MO and RO. (FWIW, I agree with all the comments that there is no one "best" and that it's great to a second opinion and maybe a third).

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  • beacon800
    beacon800 Member Posts: 922
    edited December 2011

    If you already have surgery scheduled, then hopefully you can carefuly reference check your surgeon before the procedure.

    There are many great surgeons out there.  Let me say that this is not a one time event.  You will be going back and back to the team of doctors literally for years to come.  Side effects, surgical and  otherwise, present themselves suddenly and there are very significant changes in diagnosis that happen ALL THE TIME.  You want the team to reasonably near you.  So consider this as you choose or otherwise you will have to relocate your care in mid stream. 

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited December 2011

    This thread was quiet ......what happened in between?

    when I put i had one of the best BS in America do everything all wrong it was not Dr.Camal.She fixed me up after the dr.who was top in MSK .Lots of friends love that hospital.IMO its like a clinic.Altho my frined is a 27 yr.cancer survivor and goes there and will not change!!!!!!!

    Its gotta be teamwork.....I have it now...didnt have it before.I know now....didnt know before....thanks to the sistas...hugggggs K

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  • VictoriaB
    VictoriaB Member Posts: 171
    edited December 2011

    There is no one best surgeon. Only the best surgeon for your sister, in her particular case, with her particular needs. But I would go to a major BREAST CANCER center--close to your home, where there are many surgeons, oncs, pathologists working together only on bc issues. UCLA/MD Anderson/Dana Farber/Sloane Kettering/Johns Hopkins are some major centers in the US. 

    And, I would definitely get a second opinion. Like someone above said, they usually try to shrink the tumor with chemo if it is large, before they do surgery. 

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  • climbergirl
    climbergirl Member Posts: 116
    edited December 2011

    Michelle Gadd Mass General Hospital  Boston Ma. A complete artist rec'd to me by all the RADS technicians @MGH. They see the results and know who does a good job and she has a very low rate of lymphadema.....because she does 7 of these a day. Do not ever go with a general surgeon for BC, EVER. I had 3 ops with her and you really couldn't tell that I had ANY lumpectomies. AMAZING lady...

     FYI: I did chemo pre ops and it did NOTHING to spare me from an eventual MX so don't count on that. Think carefully about how many nodes you want them to take when they do a Sentinel Biopsy.....there are studies that show no relationship that taking more is better for longterm prog

    Good luck and things will get better as she moves forward,

    kd

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited December 2011

    This thread is very old.  The O.P. was posted in September 2010; and we never heard the rest of the story (unless the O.P.'s sister registered here under her own screen name).

    Still, it's an interesting and useful thread, for many reasons. 

    Some of us are convinced that the surgeon who cut-and-sewed us was the very best surgeon in the world.  I have to smile when I see that, because most of us are reporting results from a sample size of ... one.  We are satisfied, maybe even happy, with our experience; and that's wonderful.  But, as many others have pointed out, the best surgeon for one woman (or from the point of view of a family member of that woman) might not be acceptable at all for another woman.

    It all depends on what we mean by "best".  What are the patient's goals?  What are her priorities?  Are we more concerned about the cosmetic outcome, or the length of time in surgery?  Should our surgeon be using the latest techniques, or methods that have been proven effective over dozens of years and hundreds of patients?  Do we want a surgeon who works as a part of a treatment team, or someone who prefers to make all the decisions by him/herself?  How about a not-so-skilled surgeon who is personable and compassionate, versus a highly skilled surgeon who is known to be cold and abrupt sometimes?

    Obviously, there is no "best" answer to the original question.  I wonder what the O.P.'s sister decided to do...

    otter

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  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited December 2011

    M D Anderson is the best cancer center in the world.  It's located in Houston, Texas.  If you go to their site you will get information on the top doctors that practice there.  It's where I would go if my bc was any more complicated than early stage hormone receptive plus.

    My co worker has Stage IV bc with mets to bone and liver.  She went there over three years ago to undergo treatment.  I just spoke to her yesterday, and she is doing very well, it is in remission. 

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  • Aza
    Aza Member Posts: 76
    edited December 2011

    You might want to check out Dr. Eva Singletary at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. 

    In addition to teaching, she has published 279 articles, 75 book chapters, and edited 15 books. She is editor-in-chief of Breast Diseases: A Year Book Quarterly, and is the breast section editor of the Annals of Surgical Oncology and Cancer.  She may not be the best in the world, but probably at least the best in the U.S.

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited December 2011

    My dermatologist told me that she sends her roughest skin cancer patients to my breast surgeon. When I asked why? She replied that he got the best margins.... Usually on the first try. Ask your surgeon point blank HOW OFTEN DO THEY NEED TO DO A RE-EXCISION. As far as I am concerned, that question is rarely asked but extremely important!

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited December 2011

    If money and distance were no object to me, I would look into JohnsHopkins.  

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  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited December 2011

    I have a team of great doctors from Dana Farber/Brigham & Women's in Boston. They are members of the Partners Healthcare system which also includes Mass General and Faulkner hospitals in Boston. They are all affiliated with Harvard Medical School. There are three (?) write in second opinion Hospitals you can choose. Partners is one of them.



    Best of luck.

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  • mkw1
    mkw1 Member Posts: 112
    edited December 2011

    Here in Oklahoma City, Dr. Beverly Talbert is one of the best, if not the best breast surgeon. I heard that no one ever got an infection after surgery with her. She was my breast surgeon and I am quite impressed with her. 

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  • Layla2525
    Layla2525 Member Posts: 827
    edited December 2011

    Carol1949...wow in Jax the one in FL?  I am there and just got IDC and trying to schedule surgery. This board is great,they make me laugh and thats something I am short of these days. You are right Sloan Kettering is good,Mayo Clinic is world famous, Hopkins,MD Anderson. You can check your surgeons ratings by patients and look up their education online as well.  They have some good ones here in FL however I just went ballistic on their office staff which is totally not me. They told surgery Jan 2 no....Jan 31...no Jan 2...no show up tommorrow with your toothbrush and $2000,we need a downpayment cause we dont know what your insurance will give us! I am at Bapt Hosp trying to change to Shands but Shands told me to stay at Bapt cause I am already in the system. Carol1949, I cant believe you did chemo!!!Is it really hard, lots of ladies on here have had chemo. I dont want it but dr say with invasive you need chemo. I opt for bmx to try to avoid adjuvant therapy.

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  • rene0226
    rene0226 Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2012

    Hi.  I'm being treated @ Memorial Sloan Kettering and was very lucky to be assigned to a great breast oncologist.  But the shock for me was finding out that you can't go in an request a particular doctor.  I had a recommendation from a friend when I entered Sloan Kettering.  I requested her and they just ignored me (the euphemism is "She's not taking any new patients now.") and assigned me to the one I've had for two years now.  Also, just fyi, Sloan Kettering will only take you if you already have cancer.  I was diagnosed by my regular gynecologist.  They don't see patients who just want to find out if they have cancer or not.

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  • JAGH
    JAGH Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2012

    Do you mean you went to a breast surgeon at John Hopkins and the surgeon there did everything wrong?

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  • gullwalk
    gullwalk Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2012

    I have an appt for Mar 5 @ M. Sloan Kettering in Baskin Ridge NJ, with a Dr Capka. I was diagnosed with IDC,grade 3 on 2/27. While going thru the VAMC in Wilkes Barre ,Pa. the surgeon suggested I go to another surgeon to have my mastectomy as the VAMC doe not have the services for women veterans like the outside hospitals do. I appreciate his candor . I have always thought MSK was one of the best cancer hospitals and it does rank as #2 thru 4 depending on who is ranking it. 

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  • Chocolaterocks
    Chocolaterocks Member Posts: 364
    edited March 2012

    Hi gullwalk- Please review the reviews of  Dr, Capka  on line- rate my doc- health grades........

    Chocolate

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  • rachelvk
    rachelvk Member Posts: 1,411
    edited March 2012

    Gullwalk - If you're in the NJ/PA area, you might consider Thomas Jefferson in Philly. I had my surgery there in Oct and am going through chemo, and overall I felt very comfortable with my team - especially the PS. PM me if you want any other details. It's 'only' in the top 30 or so, but as so many people said here, the 'best' is the doctor and team that can do the job and make you feel comfortable. 

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  • Kaara
    Kaara Member Posts: 3,647
    edited March 2012

    My BS in Florida did such a great job with my lumpectomy that by the time I was being scheduled for rads, they couldn't even find the surgery site it had healed so well.  There was only the small clip that was placed when the surgery was done.  Except for a small scar, I can hardly tell I've had breast surgery.  He did a SNB and that has healed perfectly and no LE...not even a trace.  I was very satisfied.

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  • scaredycatwoman
    scaredycatwoman Member Posts: 77
    edited March 2012

    Hi everyone  I need to get an wire location biospy after a stereo tactic bioppsy found LCIS   I have a strong family  history of breast cancer and I too am trying to find a top notch breast surgeon in the washington dc, northern va area--anyone have any suggestions???  LCIS is tricky and I want to make sure to make the right decisions about my options....Thanks   Carol

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  • anneflorida
    anneflorida Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2012

    I just wanted to a chance to say that Dr. Sara McLaughlin, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL is a wonderful breast cancer surgeon and is a compassionate, caring physician also.  I had a 8cm tumor and she had clear margins and my scar is always complimented on by other physicians.  I can not say enough good things about her.  I realize that there are other fine breast surgeons but she is very skilled. Dr. Mclaughlin is also conducting a study on lymphadema to find the reason why some breast cancer women subcumb to it and others are not bothered.

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  • anneflorida
    anneflorida Member Posts: 59
    edited April 2012

    Just wanted to bump this thread up in case there are women looking for where to go for treatments.

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