Dr. Lisa D. Curcio, M.D.

Great question! Individual cancer cells are impossible to remove surgically. It is only when the individual cells form a tumor that can be seen on imaging or felt that we can remove the tumor. That is why sometimes after the removal of the tumor some patients may need chemotherapy and radiation. The chemotherapy is given to address any individual cancer cells that may be left in the blood stream. Radiation is given to the area of the tumor to kill any individual cells that may be left behind after the removal of the tumor.

There are 3 different types of oncologists for breast cancer- medical oncologists, surgical oncologists and radiation oncologists. All 3 of these specialists work together to treat each individual patient. Medical oncologists give chemotherapy and endocrine therapy to treat the breast cancer. Surgical oncologists remove the cancer surgically. Radiation oncologists deliver radiation to prevent the cancer from returning locally. Your sister should be seeing each one of those specialties. General surgeons also treat breast cancer patients, but a surgical oncologist has undergone additional training for cancer surgery. Surgical oncologists do not offer additional services that are available with other specialties but are trained in all the specialties and look at each patient both from the perspective of their specialty as well as the other specialties. I hope this helps.