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Deanna Attai, MD
DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified) )| Communities: Breast Cancer | Answers: 121 |
| Member Since: Jun. 2011 |
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Professional Statement
I am a breast surgeon in Los Angeles, CA. My private practice is dedicated to providing the highest quality care in a comfortable, supportive setting. I treat patients with both benign and malignant breast disease, and recognize the anxiety that both conditions can cause. Patient education plays a key role in maintaining health as well as in treating disease, and I strive to provide as much information as possible so that patients have a good understanding of their condition and of the treatment options.
I am an active member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, and am currently a member of the Board of Directors, as well as Chair of the Communications Committee. I also serve as a faculty member for our annual meeting and for ultrasound and technology courses, educating other physicians on some of the latest devices and procedures. In addition, I am frequently invited to speak to community groups and I welcome these opportunities to provide education to those looking to lead healthier lives. I am also a member of the Board of Advisors for Circle of Hope, a nonprofit organization which provides financial, emotional, and educational support for breast cancer patients and their families in the Santa Clarita Valley.
I am an active member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, and am currently a member of the Board of Directors, as well as Chair of the Communications Committee. I also serve as a faculty member for our annual meeting and for ultrasound and technology courses, educating other physicians on some of the latest devices and procedures. In addition, I am frequently invited to speak to community groups and I welcome these opportunities to provide education to those looking to lead healthier lives. I am also a member of the Board of Advisors for Circle of Hope, a nonprofit organization which provides financial, emotional, and educational support for breast cancer patients and their families in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Professional Info
Credential: MD
Primary specialty: Surgery - Breast
State Licenses: CA
Languages: English
Medical school: Georgetown University School of Medicine
Residency: Georgetown University Hospital
Internship: Georgetown University Hospital
Board certifications: American Board of Surgery
Professional memberships: American Society of Breast Surgeons, American Society of Breast Disease
Areas of expertise: Benign and malignant breast disease, cryoablation for benign fibroadenomas and breast camcer, accelerated partial breast irradiation, risk assessment, lifestyle modification
Research interests: Cryoablation, accelerated partial breast irradiation, minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment for benign and malignant breast disease
Hospital affiliation: Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, Providence Tarzana Medical Center
Practice name: Center For Breast Care, Inc
Practice address:
191 S. Buena Vista #415
Burbank, CA
91505
Practice phone number: 818-333-2555
Webpage:
www.CFBCI.com
Twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/DrAttai
Personal Bio (My story)
Breast Surgeon, Advocate, Teacher, Author
DrAttai Activities
It is in most situations considered standard of care for a breast abnormality to be biopsied using a needle biopsy technique although there are still some situations where surgical removal of the abnormal area is the first step. Waiting for the pathology report is the first step after any biopsy procedure. A pathologist will examine the tissue that was removed microscopically and provide a report of their findings with a diagnosis. This can take anywhere from 24-48 hours to as much as a week depending on the facility. Prior to undergoing a biopsy you should ask your physician when you can expect the pathology results.
New answer by DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified))
2
Answers |
5 months ago
Sentinel lymph node biopsy refers to removal of underarm lymph nodes after a mapping procedure has been performed. A blue dye and/or radioactive material are injected into the breast and are then taken up by the lymphatic vessels in the breast and travel to the lymph nodes under the arm. In the operating room the surgeon then uses either direct visualization (in the case of blue dye) or a radioactive counter (if radioactive material is injected) to identify the sentinel, or first draining lymph nodes. That node or nodes (typically 1-4 are removed) are then evaluated by pathology.
A sentinel node biopsy is performed using a small incision. However patients should be aware that there is often discomfort associated with the procedure. In addition, there is an approximately 5-7% risk of lymphedema, or permanent swelling of the arm which may occur. Numbness of the arm, limitation in arm range of motion, and seroma formation (buildup of fluid under the arm) can also occur.
A sentinel node biopsy is performed using a small incision. However patients should be aware that there is often discomfort associated with the procedure. In addition, there is an approximately 5-7% risk of lymphedema, or permanent swelling of the arm which may occur. Numbness of the arm, limitation in arm range of motion, and seroma formation (buildup of fluid under the arm) can also occur.
New answer by DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified))
1
Answer |
5 months ago
Whether a breast cancer is classified as invasive ductal or invasive lobular depends on which cells the tumor appears to originate from - the cells of the milk duct or the cells of the lobule. Ductal cancers account for approximately 80-85% of all breast cancers and lobular cancers account for approximately 15% of all breast cancers. Stage for stage, the prognosis is the same for ductal and lobular cancers. However lobular cancers can be harder to detect on mammogram, ultrasound and MRI and it is not uncommon that they are diagnosed in a more advanced stage compared to ductal cancers.
New answer by DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified))
1
Answer |
5 months ago
Neoadjuvant therapy refers to chemotherapy or anti-estrogen therapy that is given before surgery. In situations where the breast cancer is fairly large it is often possible to decrease the size of the cancer prior to surgery and allow the patient to undergo a lumpectomy rather than mastectomy. Most commonly chemotherapy is used prior to surgery, however the recent American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z1031 trial used aromatase inhibitors, which are oral medications that block the production of estrogen, in patients who had Estrogen-Receptor positive breast cancer. It was demonstrated in this study that 50% of patients who were initially thought to need a mastectomy were able to undergo successful lumpectomy.
New answer by DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified))
1
Answer |
5 months ago
The real advantage to a skin sparing mastectomy is the improvement in the final appearance after reconstruction. If reconstruction is not planned, it may be better to undergo resection of the additional skin. Otherwise, there will be excess tissue and irregular scarring on the chest wall which may make it difficult to fit a prosthesis or even detect cancer recurrence.
New answer by DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified))
1
Answer |
9 months ago
There may be a slightly higher risk of skin and nipple necrosis and other healing problems. In addition, it is important to note that even though the skin and possibly the nipple are not removed, often there is still numbness of the entire chest wall, which may be permanent.
New answer by DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified))
1
Answer |
9 months ago
With any mastectomy, there is a small risk of cancer returning as it is physically impossible to remove every single breast cell. However if properly performed, the risks of recurrence are no higher with a skin-sparing or nipple-sparing procedure compared to a standard mastectomy.
New answer by DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified))
1
Answer |
9 months ago
A properly performed skin sparing and even nipple sparing mastectomy does not lead to an increased risk of breast cancer returning. There may be a slightly higher rate of healing complications such as skin necrosis or nipple necrosis. Choosing a breast and reconstructive surgeon experienced in this technique is important.
New answer by DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified))
1
Answer |
9 months ago
In women who are diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, in which the tumor involves the skin, it is generally recommended to remove a larger area of skin. In addition, some patients have tumors invading or otherwise involving the skin and resection of that area is necessary to obtain a clear margin around the tumor. Also, patients who have a lot of excess skin may have a better cosmetic result if a larger amount of skin is removed so that a "lift" can be performed as part of the reconstruction. Each patient should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
New answer by DrAttai (Physician - Surgery - Breast (Verified))
1
Answer |
9 months ago
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