Breast Surgery

Surgical Unit 2 looks after patients who have breast problems but also looks after patients with general surgery problems.

Some of our surgeons also look after endocrine problems (thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal disease). The breast surgeons look after female and male patients who have breast problems. The problems can be benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) problems of the breast. Problems in the pregnant breast are also managed. Teenagers are also cared for by the breast surgeons. Benign/non-cancerous problems are managed by the breast surgeons. Malignant/cancerous problems are managed by the breast surgeons who are part of the Breast Group.

What to expect from the service?

Patients referred to Surgical Unit 2/Breast can expect to receive:

First appointment with a surgeon within days of GP referral for patients diagnosed with cancer and within a week for patients with highly suspicious lesions.
Appointments for patients with benign breast problems will be triaged by a consultant and booked in a timely fashion.
Same day investigations for suspicious cancer lesions arranged on the day of first referral
Clinic visits with their breast surgeon for benign and malignant lesions
Clinic visits for cancer patients with medical oncologists, radio-oncologist, oncology nurse practitioner, breast care nurse and survivorship support nurse
For cancer patients, same day appointments to their entire treating team
Multi-disciplinary care from diagnosis through their treatment program
Access to genetic counselling support
In-patient and out-patient surgical care
Access to allied care support including social work, physiotherapy
Regular letters to your GP
Dedicated Interpreter Service.

Appointment information

How to refer:

A referral is required, please visit your GP clinic.

What to bring:

First appointment:
patients are asked to bring their X-Rays, any relevant pathology reports, Medicare card, an accurate list of medications and the name and clinic address of your GP etc.

Ongoing appointments:
no requirements

Surgical Unit 2 is a unit made up of general surgeons who have also specialised in the care of breast problems. Some of our surgeons are also endocrine surgeons (see details below).

Breast Surgery: The unit manages female and male benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) breast problems including onco-plastic reconstructions and in conjunction with the Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Unit, prosthetic and autologous reconstructions and revision surgery. The unit also manages breast problems in the pregnant breast, as well as, breast problems in female and male teenagers. The Breast unit works in a multi-disciplinary setting as unit surgeons are members of the Breast Service.

General Surgery: The unit manages patients with general surgery issues including such conditions as all types of hernia; gall bladder pathology, skin appendage pathology including skin lesions, lipomata, sebaceous cysts, perianal skin conditions, haemorrhoids etc (see General Surgery Service).

Inclusion criteria:

Breast for female and male teenagers and adult females and males
Benign conditions of the breast such as cysts, fibroadenomas, fibrocystic breast change etc
Malignant or suspicious breast symptoms and/or breast changes on examination
Inflammatory breast cancer
Metastatic breast cancer
Breast lumps, thickening, change in skin appearance etc
Breast and /or axillary pain (mastalgia)
Nipple changes such as discharge, skin changes, lumps etc
Breast and/or nipple infections in the non-pregnant patient and in the pregnant patient
Breast asymmetry/developmental abnormalities in adults and in teenagers
Large breasts for body habitus resulting in symptoms ie neck/shoulder pain, infection etc
Axillary lumps, skin changes, pain etc
Ultrasound or mammogram changes that are suspicious/concerning or are recommended to have specialist breast surgeon input or require further investigation
Ultrasound or mammogram changes that are reported as malignant on ultrasound and/or mammogram
BreastScreen patients who are diagnosed with pre-cancer or cancer lesions
High risk breast cancer family history
Patients with a past history of breast cancer who require re-assessment or on going management.

See General Surgery Service.

Exclusion criteria:

Breast Surgery – no exclusion criteria
General Surgery – see General Surgery Service

Outpatient Referral Guidelines:

The Department of Health and Human Services has developed Statewide referral criteria to assist GPs and clinicians referring patients to Specialist Clinics. These referral criteria have been developed to improve access to Specialist Clinics in public hospitals by improving the quality and appropriateness of referrals.

How to Refer:

Urgent referrals can be discussed with the Surgical 2 Fellow or Registrar by calling Northern Health switchboard Tel: 8405 8000. i.e:

cancer positive on examination and/or radiology and/or biopsy and/or breast screen
suspicious but unproven cancer

Acutely unwell patients should be directed to the nearest Emergency Department.

GP Referrals: Use Healthlink to send referrals, results and reports. For more information click here

Other Health Service Referrals: (hospitals, allied health, specialists etc): Fax your referral to 8405 8616

Referral must include:

patient details including address, date of birth, Medicare number and (current) contact phone numbers
the reason for referral
relevant clinical history for the patient
relevant investigation results, including any pathology, current medications and any allergies
current management of condition by LMO
patients should bring their radiology films to appointments
your provider number.

Contact Us:

The Surgical Unit 2 registrar may be contacted via Northern Health Switch for advice, (03) 8405 8000.