Central Coast Breast Surgery

Central Coast Breast Surgery Specialising in surgery for breast cancer & benign breast conditions

This tiny blue-stained lymph node is called a sentinel node. It’s the first node to drain lymph from the breast, & the f...
07/07/2025

This tiny blue-stained lymph node is called a sentinel node.

It’s the first node to drain lymph from the breast, & the first place cancer cells are likely to spread.

During breast cancer surgery, we use a combination of radioactive tracer & blue dye to identify this key node. Both the tracer & dye follow the same path cancer cells would take.

In surgery, we locate it by:
🔹 Detecting the “hot” node using a special probe for the radioactive tracer
🔹 Seeing the “blue” node with the naked eye

Once identified, the sentinel node is carefully removed & examined under the microscope.

🔹 If it’s clear, it’s unlikely the cancer has spread further
🔹 If cancer is present, it helps guide decisions about further surgery or treatment

When breast cancer spreads beyond the breast, it often travels through the lymphatic system to specific lymph node stati...
02/07/2025

When breast cancer spreads beyond the breast, it often travels through the lymphatic system to specific lymph node stations.

The three main lymph node stations we focus on in breast cancer are:
🔹 Axillary nodes – under the arm
🔹 Internal mammary nodes – behind the breastbone
🔹 Supraclavicular nodes – just above the collarbone

In early breast cancer, spread most often occurs in the axillary nodes & sometimes in the internal mammary nodes — depending on the tumour’s location within the breast.

In more advanced cases, the supraclavicular nodes may be involved.

The presence of cancer in lymph nodes guides important decisions around chemotherapy, radiotherapy, & further imaging, as well as provides important information about the outlook.

Lymph Nodes: Filters, Fighters & First RespondersEver wonder why doctors care so much about lymph nodes? Lymph nodes are...
02/07/2025

Lymph Nodes: Filters, Fighters & First Responders

Ever wonder why doctors care so much about lymph nodes?

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that are part of your lymphatic system, & while they might be tiny, they’re doing some seriously important work behind the scenes.

Lymph nodes are your body’s filters, fighters & first responders:
🔹 They filter out viruses, bacteria & abnormal cells
🔹 They help launch an immune response when needed
🔹 And in cancer, they give us early clues about spread

In breast cancer, lymph nodes help answer one of the most critical questions: has the cancer stayed local or has it started to travel?

That’s why we examine them through scans, sometimes do biopsies & in some cases, remove them during surgery.

What we find in the nodes can guide important treatment decisions, including whether chemotherapy or radiotherapy is recommended.

👉 Follow along over the next 8 posts as we explore these tiny structures & the important roles they play in your health.

✨ Implant Rupture: What You Should Know ✨Breast implants are not designed to last forever, and over time, the outer shel...
29/09/2024

✨ Implant Rupture: What You Should Know ✨

Breast implants are not designed to last forever, and over time, the outer shell may tear or break, leading to an implant rupture.

Here are 5 important facts:
1️⃣ Saline implants: A rupture typically causes rapid breast deflation 🎈, with the saline being absorbed by the body.
2️⃣ Silicone implants: These ruptures can be silent, with no immediate visible changes. Over time, there may be pain or changes in breast shape ⚖️.
3️⃣ Why it happens: Ruptures can occur due to ageing implants, trauma or surgical complications. Severe capsular contracture can also cause rupture due to increased pressure on the implant 🔄.
4️⃣ Complications: In silicone implants, the gel may slowly migrate into the breast tissue, the lymph nodes or other parts of the body 🌀. Once silicone has migrated into tissue, it is difficult to remove.
5️⃣ When to treat: Surgery to replace or remove the ruptured implant is generally recommended 🏥.

Regular monitoring of your implants is crucial for early detection and intervention.

Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

✨ Capsular Contracture: What You Should Know ✨Did you know that when you get breast implants, your body naturally forms ...
23/09/2024

✨ Capsular Contracture: What You Should Know ✨

Did you know that when you get breast implants, your body naturally forms a scar tissue “capsule” around them? For some, this capsule tightens and hardens over time, leading to a condition called capsular contracture. 🤔

Here are 5 key facts:
1️⃣ How it feels: The breast might feel unusually firm or even painful 😣.
2️⃣ How it looks: It can cause the breast to look misshapen or sit higher than usual ⬆.
3️⃣ Why it happens: The exact cause isn’t always clear, but it’s been linked to infections, bleeding, and even genetics 🧬.
4️⃣ Complications: It can increase the risk of implant rupture - or even signal a rupture has happened 🚩.�
5️⃣ When to treat: If it's causing chronic pain or discomfort, surgery to remove or replace the implant may be necessary 🏥.

Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Got implants? Here’s how to keep tabs on them! 👇1️⃣ Clinical Exams: Schedule an annual visit with your surgeon or GP to ...
26/08/2024

Got implants? Here’s how to keep tabs on them! 👇

1️⃣ Clinical Exams: Schedule an annual visit with your surgeon or GP to have your breasts and implants checked for any changes. 🩺

2️⃣ Routine Ultrasounds: Aim for imaging every 2 years. If you have textured implants, a personal or family history of breast cancer, or had surgery overseas, consider more frequent (yearly) check-ups. 🖥️

3️⃣ Mammograms: If you are over 40, mammograms are still key for breast cancer screening. Let the technician know you have implants so they can use special techniques for clear images. 🩻

4️⃣ Self-Exams: Get familiar with how your breasts feel with implants. Regular self-exams can help you spot unusual changes, like lumps or hardening, that could signal complications. 🖐️

5️⃣ Stay Informed: Medical guidelines for implant care evolve, so keep in touch with your surgeon and stay updated on the latest recommendations. 📚

Routine checks are important for as long as you have implants. If you’re considering implants, make sure to discuss screening and post-op care with your surgeon. 💬

Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Breast implants aren't lifetime devices. They require ongoing monitoring, and complications can sometimes require furthe...
18/08/2024

Breast implants aren't lifetime devices. They require ongoing monitoring, and complications can sometimes require further surgery.

Here’s a quick look at the top 3 reasons women often need further revision surgery:

🔄 Capsular Contracture (32.2%): This happens when the scar tissue around the implant tightens up too much, causing discomfort and changes in the appearance of your breasts. It’s the most common reason women need to go back for revision surgery.

💔 Device Rupture/Deflation (23.4%): Implants can rupture or deflate over time. Silicone implants might leak slowly without you noticing, while saline implants usually deflate more obviously. Either way, surgery is often required to fix the issue.

🎯 Device Malposition (17.8%): Implants can sometimes shift or rotate out of place, leading to an uneven or unnatural look. This is another common reason women seek revision surgery.

Stay tuned! In the next few posts, the various complications of breast implants will be discussed in more detail.

Statistics are from the 2022 Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR) report.

When it comes to assessing breast lumps or changes, the Triple Test is the gold standard. This 3-step approach involves:...
17/08/2024

When it comes to assessing breast lumps or changes, the Triple Test is the gold standard.

This 3-step approach involves:

1️⃣ Clinical Examination
Your doctor will thoroughly check your breasts for any lumps or other abnormalities.

2️⃣ Imaging
A mammogram and/or ultrasound provides a detailed look at your breast tissue, helping to identify the nature of the lump.

3️⃣ Biopsy
If anything unusual is found on clinical examination or imaging, a biopsy is performed. This involves taking a small sample of tissue or cells from the lump to check if it is benign or malignant.

The Triple Test is incredibly reliable, detecting over 99.6% of breast cancers. If all components are negative, breast cancer can be ruled out with 99% accuracy.

🚩 However, if any part of the test shows something abnormal, a referral to a breast surgeon is essential.

Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Intraductal papillomas are non-cancerous, wart-like growths that develop within the milk ducts of the breast.5 key facts...
15/08/2024

Intraductal papillomas are non-cancerous, wart-like growths that develop within the milk ducts of the breast.

5 key facts about intraductal papillomas:

1️⃣ Intraductal papillomas are not the same as papillary breast cancer, despite the similar names.

2️⃣ Papillomas can cause clear or bloody ni**le discharge and, less commonly a lump near the ni**le area.

3️⃣ Papillomas are often discovered during ultrasounds. A biopsy is performed to confirm the diagnosis.

4️⃣ Surgery is recommended if the papilloma causes symptoms or shows any abnormal cells.

5️⃣ Breast cancer risk: a solitary papilloma generally does not increase cancer risk unless it has atypical changes; multiple papillomas are associated with a slight increase in risk.

📷 Ultrasound image of an intraductal papilloma - a solid growth within the milk duct.

Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
**ledischarge

Ever heard of breast hamartomas (pronounced ha-mar-TOE-mah)? Not to be mixed up with a haematoma (a blood collection)!He...
20/07/2024

Ever heard of breast hamartomas (pronounced ha-mar-TOE-mah)? Not to be mixed up with a haematoma (a blood collection)!

Here are 5 things to know about breast hamartomas:

1️⃣ Hamartomas are benign tumours made up of variable amounts of fibrous, glandular and fatty tissues. All these components are found in normal breast tissue.

2️⃣ Hamartomas are most commonly detected in women over 35.

3️⃣ Silent presence: hamartomas often go unnoticed and are usually found during routine mammograms.

4️⃣ Hamartomas can also present as a soft painless lump or unilateral breast enlargement.

5️⃣ On mammograms, hamartomas appear as a “breast within a breast” - a distinctive and recognisable feature (see >>> on image).

Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice.


📷 Case courtesy of Garth Kruger, Radiopaedia.org, rID: 23799

Fat necrosis in the breast occurs when fatty tissue is damaged, often from breast surgery (including fat grafting), radi...
18/07/2024

Fat necrosis in the breast occurs when fatty tissue is damaged, often from breast surgery (including fat grafting), radiotherapy or trauma.

5 things to know about fat necrosis:

1️⃣ Fat necrosis can cause a firm, sometimes tender breast lump.

2️⃣ It can be tricky to tell the difference between fat necrosis and breast cancer through clinical examination and imaging. A biopsy is usually needed to get a clear answer.

3️⃣ The body is pretty amazing - it usually breaks down fat necrosis over a few months, so these lumps often disappear on their own.

4️⃣ Most cases of fat necrosis don’t need treatment or follow-up.

5️⃣ Fat necrosis doesn’t increase your risk of breast cancer. However, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and consult your doctor if you notice any changes in your breasts, no matter how soon after your diagnosis of fat necrosis.

Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Fibroadenomas are common benign breast tumours, especially in women aged 15-35. These lumps are made up of glandular and...
14/07/2024

Fibroadenomas are common benign breast tumours, especially in women aged 15-35. These lumps are made up of glandular and fibrous tissue.

Here are 5 facts about fibroadenomas:

1️⃣ Fibroadenomas are smooth, mobile lumps that can sometimes be tender. Their ability to move around under the skin has earned them the nickname "breast mice" because they seem to run away from your fingers during an exam.�

2️⃣ Fibroadenomas are thought to be linked to increased sensitivity to oestrogen. They can grow during pregnancy, breastfeeding or hormone replacement therapy but usually shrink back down afterwards.
�
3️⃣ Rule of Thirds: fibroadenomas can change over time. One-third may decrease in size or disappear, one-third may grow, and one-third may stay the same. �

4️⃣ Surgery might be recommended for fibroadenomas that are
🚩🚩 painful
🚩🚩 larger than 3 cm
🚩🚩 growing, or
🚩🚩 showing concerning features on imaging or biopsy.

5️⃣ Unlike cancerous tumours, fibroadenomas grow by displacing breast tissue rather than invading it. After surgical removal, the surrounding breast tissue often re-expands, and skin retraction can be expected.�

Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Address

Suite 6/16 Hills Street
Gosforth, NSW
2250

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30am
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+61243210302

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