Clinical Experience

• Complex patients
• Ultrasound experience
• Radioactive seed localization
• Intraoperative radiation therapy
• Skin and nipple sparing mastectomy
• Oncoplastic surgery
• Lymphedema surgery

Clinical Rotations

Breast Surgery Rotation

Thirty-six weeks will be spent on rotation with the breast surgery group. While on the surgical service, the fellow will be responsible for pre and post-op care of breast surgery patients. The fellow will actively participate in the outpatient clinics, including the benign breast and genetic counseling clinics. A schedule will be created to ensure exposure to all of the breast surgeons. The fellow will learn to evaluate and manage benign and malignant breast conditions and become proficient in the use of common in-office procedures such as breast sonography, cyst aspiration, FNA, and percutaneous core needle biopsy.

Breast Imaging Rotation

Four weeks will be spent in the Radiology department, including experience with mammography, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI. This time will be spent understanding the techniques of diagnostic mammography, BI-RADS nomenclature, and identifying the characteristics of benign and malignant disease. Time will be spent with breast sonography and image-guided (u/s, stereotactic, and MRI) biopsy techniques. In addition, the fellow will complete the ACS or equivalent courses for basic and advanced breast ultrasound. 

Medical Oncology/Radiation Oncology Rotation

Four weeks will be spent on rotation in the medical oncology outpatient clinics focused in breast cancer and radition oncology. The fellow will understand the indications, contraindications, mechanism of action, and common toxicities of chemotherapy and hormonal therapies. The fellow should be able to assess the indications and contraindications for and complications of radiation therapy and describe the process of patient experiences undergoing radiation therapy. The fellow will receive a schedule of radiation oncology case conferences and is expected to attend those pertinent to breast cancer care.

Pathology Rotation

One week will be spent in the Pathology department evaluating benign and malignant breast specimens, in addition to a weekly review of pathology slides. The fellow will be exposed to the techniques of fine needle aspiration of breast masses, for marking and processing pathology specimens, immunohistochemical stains, cytology and tumor markers. In addition, the fellow will review pathology for cases presented to tumor with the breast pathologist weekly during the 36 weeks of surgery rotations.

Plastic Surgery Rotation

Four weeks will be spent on service with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The fellow will attend clinics and understand the decision making process for various reconstruction procedures. The fellow will also participate in the onco-plastic techniques of breast conservation, breast augmentation and reduction, the use of tissue expanders, implants, and flap reconstruction. The fellow may also participate in breast reconstructive surgeries while on surgery rotations. 

Integrated Rotations

• Genetic counseling
• Lymphedema clinic
• Psycho-oncology
• Breast center administration
• Clinical trials/research methodology
• Community outreach
• Patient support groups
• Longitudinal patient program to ensure continuity of care