Breast Cancer
Advanced, compassionate care makes a difference
When you have a breast lump or an abnormal mammogram, the next step is referral to a surgical specialist like board-certified
Dr. Freddie L. McRae in St. Petersburg, Florida for further evaluation. Frequently, a biopsy is required to definitively identify the cause of the abnormality. Several biopsy techniques are available depending on the circumstances. Dr. McRae provides information to assist both patient and referring physician in choosing the best procedure. He explains your options and gives you the opportunity to ask questions and he offers you the kind of compassionate, thoughtful care that patients appreciate.
- Mammotome® biopsy: A minimally invasive breast biopsy that’s performed in under an hour and requires no stitches. The biopsy involves the one-time insertion of an ultrasound-guided probe directly into the area of the breast that appeared suspicious based on a physical exam or an abnormal mammogram finding. Once inside, the probe gently vacuums out suspicious tissue for analysis.
- VACORA® “bandaid” needle biopsy: Uses a fine needle and vacuum to take tissue samples as an outpatient procedure without surgery or stitches. A bandaid is all that’s needed after surgery. Most women can resume their normal activities immediately.
- Sentinel node biopsy: To prevent the unnecessary removal of lymph nodes in breast cancer and melanoma patients, a sample of tissue is taken from just one or two lymph nodes to determine if cancer has spread to the lymphatic system. The result is a smaller incision, less swelling and a faster recovery.
Dr. McRae also utilizes lymphatic mapping to identify lymph nodes. This procedure involves the injection of a mapping agent into the lymph system surrounding a breast tumor to identify lymph nodes that may contain cancer cells.
Conservative treatment you can trust
Some breast conditions can be treated nonsurgically but when an operation is in your best interests, you will be glad to know that Dr. Freddie L. McRae offers a number of techniques that allow for the removal of breast lumps, masses, tissue and lymph nodes. His goal is to provide you with the best results possible. Because he strives for breast conservation, Dr. McRae will perform lumpectomy instead of mastectomy whenever possible. The tissue removed in this breast-preservation surgery is generally quite limited, and the lumpectomy procedure is relatively noninvasive when compared to mastectomy. Additionally, when mastectomy is absolutely necessary, Dr. McRae coordinates breast reconstruction surgery for the best possible overall outcome.
Dr. McRae is among the first St. Petersburg area surgeons to offer revolutionary MammoSite® 5-day targeted radiation therapy. This is a minimally invasive surgery in which Dr. McRae places a small, soft balloon attached to a thin tube inside the space left after tumor removal. The radiation oncologist then uses a computer-controlled machine to put a tiny radiation source, called a “seed,” within the balloon. Patients receive 10 treatments over five days. Most women feel little or no discomfort either during the treatment or when the balloon is removed at the end of the five days.
Breast Cancer
Advanced, compassionate care makes a difference
When you have a breast lump or an abnormal mammogram, the next step is referral to a surgical specialist like board-certified
Dr. Freddie L. McRae in St. Petersburg, Florida for further evaluation. Frequently, a biopsy is required to definitively identify the cause of the abnormality. Several biopsy techniques are available depending on the circumstances. Dr. McRae provides information to assist both patient and referring physician in choosing the best procedure. He explains your options and gives you the opportunity to ask questions and he offers you the kind of compassionate, thoughtful care that patients appreciate.
- Mammotome® biopsy: A minimally invasive breast biopsy that’s performed in under an hour and requires no stitches. The biopsy involves the one-time insertion of an ultrasound-guided probe directly into the area of the breast that appeared suspicious based on a physical exam or an abnormal mammogram finding. Once inside, the probe gently vacuums out suspicious tissue for analysis.
- VACORA® “bandaid” needle biopsy: Uses a fine needle and vacuum to take tissue samples as an outpatient procedure without surgery or stitches. A bandaid is all that’s needed after surgery. Most women can resume their normal activities immediately.
- Sentinel node biopsy: To prevent the unnecessary removal of lymph nodes in breast cancer and melanoma patients, a sample of tissue is taken from just one or two lymph nodes to determine if cancer has spread to the lymphatic system. The result is a smaller incision, less swelling and a faster recovery.
Dr. McRae also utilizes lymphatic mapping to identify lymph nodes. This procedure involves the injection of a mapping agent into the lymph system surrounding a breast tumor to identify lymph nodes that may contain cancer cells.
Conservative treatment you can trust
Some breast conditions can be treated nonsurgically but when an operation is in your best interests, you will be glad to know that Dr. Freddie L. McRae offers a number of techniques that allow for the removal of breast lumps, masses, tissue and lymph nodes. His goal is to provide you with the best results possible. Because he strives for breast conservation, Dr. McRae will perform lumpectomy instead of mastectomy whenever possible. The tissue removed in this breast-preservation surgery is generally quite limited, and the lumpectomy procedure is relatively noninvasive when compared to mastectomy. Additionally, when mastectomy is absolutely necessary, Dr. McRae coordinates breast reconstruction surgery for the best possible overall outcome.
Dr. McRae is among the first St. Petersburg area surgeons to offer revolutionary MammoSite® 5-day targeted radiation therapy. This is a minimally invasive surgery in which Dr. McRae places a small, soft balloon attached to a thin tube inside the space left after tumor removal. The radiation oncologist then uses a computer-controlled machine to put a tiny radiation source, called a “seed,” within the balloon. Patients receive 10 treatments over five days. Most women feel little or no discomfort either during the treatment or when the balloon is removed at the end of the five days.