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Lizzie27's avatar
Lizzie27
New member
7 hours ago

Surgeon or oncologist first?

Hi, I had a lumpectomy for early breast cancer four weeks ago and have possible further surgery pending as didn’t get clear margins. With all the time one gets between the steps of the treatment process, husband has just asked why I was directed to a breast surgeon initially and not an oncologist. I feel foolish to have not considered this. I tend to “trust the process” and perhaps don’t question enough. I think I understood, perhaps wrongly, that surgeon consults closely with oncologist prior to surgery in multidisciplinary meetings…

 

Is it standard to only meet oncologists once ready for radiation and endocrine treatments? Wouldn’t an oncologist be the best to advise on appropriate margins pre-surgery? 

I’m interested to learn about the sequence of your interactions with specialists if anyone is happy to share please.

specialists
treatment decisions

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  • Lizzie27's avatar
    Lizzie27
    New member
    5 hours ago

    Thank you GorgyS.

    I have an excellent surgeon and feel like I’ve been in good hands with everyone I’ve seen so far. It’s just interesting that a surgeon has the coordinating role in the team (it seems), rather than a cancer specialist. TBH I don’t mind who I see when, as long as I’m progressing! 

  • GorgyS's avatar
    GorgyS
    Member
    6 hours ago

    My treatment path was a lumpectomy followed by further surgery to achieve clear margins. After the surgery, I saw a medical oncologist who prescribed chemotherapy, and a radiation oncologist for radiation therapy. The breast surgeon was the one who decided whether further surgery was needed. And you're right—they work together and consult with each other as a multidisciplinary team. I was well guided through the whole treatment and didn’t worry much because I trusted the medical team and their expertise. They had experience in treating breast cancer, but for me, everything was so new and unknown. Take care