Breast Cancer Treatment Surgeon Knoxville, TN - Dr. Aaron Margulies  FACS
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Linkedin
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Rss
Passionate. Committed. Your Captain.
  • Home
  • About
    • About Dr. Aaron G. Margulies
    • About Director of Clinical Genetics Services: Imelda G. Margulies MSN, FNP-BC
  • Schedule Appointment
    • Download and Print Patient Forms
      • Dr. Aaron Margulies
        • Breast Care Consultations
        • General Surgery Consultations
      • Imelda Margulies
        • Genetic Counseling and High Risk In Office Consultations
        • Genetic Counseling and High Risk Telehealth Consultations
  • Leave Review
    • Contact
  • Patient Resources
    • Patient Portal
    • Cancer Risk Quiz
    • Dr. Margulies Explains Cancer
    • 5 Questions to ask the Radiologist About Breast Cancer Checklist
    • Hidden Scar Surgery
  • Patient Forms
    • Dr. Aaron Margulies
      • Breast Care Consultations
      • General Surgery Consultations
    • Imelda Margulies
      • Genetic Counseling and High Risk Genetic Counseling and High Risk In Office Consultations Consultations
      • Genetic Counseling and High Risk Telehealth Consultations
  • Cancer Risk Quiz
Search the site...
Home» Breast Cancer Surgery » Chemotherapy Before Surgery? But I Want My Cancer Gone! Part I

Chemotherapy Before Surgery? But I Want My Cancer Gone! Part I

Posted by Dr. Aaron G. Margulies - April 17, 2017 - Breast Cancer Surgery, Breast Cancer Research, Breast Cancer Treatment, Cancer Survival
0

Chemotherapy Before Surgery? But I Want My Cancer Gone! Part I

Breast cancer belongs in the garbage can. Period.
Breast cancer needs to be cut out and thrown away. Done. The end.

If only it were that simple. Many surgeons will tell you that it is that simple. Just cut out the tumor and be done with it. But breast cancer is a very complex disease that requires a mosaic of treatments from a multidisciplinary team dedicated to the destruction of breast cancer.

Breast cancer can spread, what we call metastasis, or “mets” for short. The word was first used to mean ‘rapid transition from one point to another.’ When breast cancer metastasizes, it rapidly moves from the breast to elsewhere in the body.

The process of metastasis is a very involved process with many necessary steps: the cancer must learn how to leave the breast and enter the bloodstream; the cancer must learn to survive in the bloodstream; the cancer must learn to leave the bloodstream; and the cancer must learn to survive and grow in its new environment.

What are the chances that the breast cancer has spread? We grade and stage breast cancers, to assess the chance of spread and the need for systemic treatment, i.e. chemotherapy. Low-grade breast cancers (Grade 1) have less of a chance than high-grade cancers (Grade 3) to have spread. Stage 1 cancers carry a low risk of spread; Stage 2 cancers carry a moderate risk; Stage 3 cancers carry a high risk; Stage 4 cancers have already spread.

Stage 1 breast cancers can be cut out and thrown in the garbage can; surgery is their primary treatment. Stage 2 breast cancers have a moderate risk of spread, so often chemotherapy will be necessary, in which case, you should probably have chemotherapy prior to surgery. Stage 3 cancers have a high risk of spread, so these tumors should almost always have chemotherapy prior to surgery. Stage 4 cancers have already spread and require systemic therapy. Rarely do Stage 4 tumors benefit from surgery.

Why should you have chemotherapy prior to surgery? Because most women with Stage 2 or Stage 3 breast cancer will benefit from chemotherapy. Chemotherapy prior to surgery opens up three opportunities that benefit women with breast cancer. (1) We can learn if the cancer is responsive to chemotherapy. If all of the cancer is gone after the administration of chemotherapy, then we know you will have a great chance at a long life free of breast cancer. If some of the cancer remains, then you may benefit from additional chemotherapy after surgery. (2) The breast cancer can be shrunken by chemotherapy so that at surgical removal, the risk of a positive margin will be less, and you will have a better cosmetic result. (3) Any breast cancer that has spread to your lymph nodes can be killed by chemotherapy, what we call “sterilizing the axilla.” If there is cancer in your lymph nodes, you will benefit from and need your lymph nodes removed or radiated and this puts you at risk for lymphedema. If chemotherapy can sterilize your lymph nodes, then you need no further treatment to your lymph nodes and you risk of lymphedema will be low.

In the next blog post, we will discuss the types of systemic therapy and chemotherapy that are optimal for the different subtypes of breast cancer.

  • Share
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
Awareness, Breast cancer, Chemotherapy, mets, Surgery

Dr. Margulies practices sees patients in West Knoxville at Turkey Creek Medical Center, in Powell just off of Emory Road​ adjacent to North Knoxville Medical Center in Powell, at Jefferson Memorial Hospital and Newport Medical Center.

Dr. Margulies performs surgeries at Tennova’s Turkey Creek Medical Center and North Knoxville Medical Center, at Jefferson Memorial Hospital, at Newport Medical Center and at Parkwest Medical Center.

Learn more about Dr. Margulies here.

Hidden Scar Provider

Click here to learn more about Hidden Scar Surgery.

Schedule an Appointment

If you need to request an appointment, please call (865) 692-1610 and ask for Dr. Aaron Margulies.

Connect with Me

  • (865) 692-1610
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Linkedin
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Youtube

Patient Testimonials

“I find it very comforting to have my surgeon pray with me and for me and call me himself to give reports on my condition. Thank you!”

Mary
During my cancer journey you and Lisa traveled it with me. Words cannot express my appreciation for all that both of you have done. You both have always encouraged, loved and shown compassion with understanding for me.
Rebecca

“Thank you for all you’ve done to teach me along this incredible journey.”

Kaitlin
Your patients are some of the luckiest people in the world. I am so thankful that God brought us together.
Leslie

Thank you for being the exceptional doctor. By this I mean your thorough explanations, your caring manner and your hugs! I felt completely relaxed in your hands!

Jane

Recent Articles

  • DCIS Treatment – What Are My Options?
  • What Is Actually Considered “Family History” Or “High Risk” Of Breast Cancer?
  • How Accurate Is Genetic Testing, And When Should You Consider It?
  • How Telemedicine Can Help With Breast Cancer Concerns During COVID-19 
  • What You Need To Know About Surgeries During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Search Articles

Topics

  • Breast Cancer Diagnosis
  • Breast Cancer Research
  • Breast Cancer Surgery
  • Breast Cancer Treatment
  • Cancer Survival
  • Genetic testing
  • Knoxville Community
  • Patient Stories

Resources

  • Abercrombie Radiology
  • American Board of Surgery
  • American College of Surgeons
  • American Society of Breast Surgeons
  • Breast 360
  • Breast Cancer Statistics
  • Breast Cancer Terms
  • Breast Connect
  • Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center
  • Mastery of Breast Surgery
  • Society of Surgical Oncology
(c) 2020 Dr. Aaron Margulies - Web Design by Baker Labs
  • Home
  • About
  • Schedule Appointment
  • Leave Review
  • Patient Resources
  • Patient Forms
  • Cancer Risk Quiz
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.