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Auckland Oncoplastic Breast Institute - Katherine Gale

Private Service, General Surgery, Breast, Oncology

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Description

Katherine Gale a qualified general surgeon with sub-specialisation in surgical oncology.  She is passionate about breast surgery and wants to offer women a more comprehensive service when faced with breast disease.  She holds a consultant position at Waitemata DHB in general surgery, oncoplastic breast and skin cancer surgical oncology.

Katherine is one of a few female specialist oncoplastic breast surgeons in New Zealand who practice all aspects of breast oncology and reconstruction. An expert in diagnostic and minimally-invasive treatment methods for all types of breast disease and, following a breast cancer diagnosis, she can offer a full range of partial and whole breast reconstruction options. Katherine believes in offering evidence based research to patients when tailoring a surgical solution, and has done extensive research in both breast oncology and reconstruction.

Katherine also offers skin cancer surgery including facial flap and graft reconstructions following cancer excision and melanoma surgery.

What is oncoplastic surgery?
Oncoplastic surgery merges the principles of oncologic surgery, in which cancerous tissue is removed, with those of some plastic surgical techniques which reconstruct an area of the breast removed in partial mastectomy or the whole breast if a mastectomy is necessary.  This can usually be done in one operation.

In oncoplastic breast conserving surgery, plastic surgery techniques such as breast reduction or breast lift (mastopexy) are used at the time of lumpectomy to restore or often improve the natural appearance to the breast shape.  In a smaller breast, local tissue flaps from the chest wall can fill in a defect left by the partial mastectomy to prevent deformity and hide scars off the breast mound itself.

Consultants

Referral Expectations

When you come to your appointment, your surgeon will ask questions about your illness and examine you to try to determine or confirm the diagnosis. This process may also require a number of tests (e.g. blood tests, x-rays, scans etc). Sometimes this can all be done during one visit, but for some conditions this will take several follow-up appointments. Occasionally some tests are arranged even before your appointment to try to speed up the process.
 
Once a diagnosis has been made, your surgeon will discuss treatment with you. In some instances this will mean surgery, while other cases can be managed with medication and advice. If surgery is advised, the steps involved in the surgical process and the likely outcome are usually discussed with you at this time.

Fees and Charges Description

Katherine is a Southern Cross Affiliated Provider for services under the General Surgery and Skin categories. 

Affiliated providers organise prior approval for the healthcare service you need and claims on your behalf.

Hours

Tue 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Clinics every Tuesday morning  8.30am - 12.30 

Urgent appointments are available outside these times.

Procedures / Treatments

Breast Cancer Surgery

This may be: Simple or Total: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple are surgically removed but the muscles lying under the breast and the lymph nodes are left in place. Modified Radical: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple as well as some lymph tissue are surgically removed. Partial: the breast lump and a portion of other breast tissue (up to one quarter of the breast) as well as lymph tissue are surgically removed. Lumpectomy: the breast lump and surrounding tissue, as well as some lymph tissue, are surgically removed. When combined with radiation treatment, this is known as breast-conserving surgery.

This may be:

  • Simple or Total: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple are surgically removed but the muscles lying under the breast and the lymph nodes are left in place.
  • Modified Radical: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple as well as some lymph tissue are surgically removed.
  • Partial: the breast lump and a portion of other breast tissue (up to one quarter of the breast) as well as lymph tissue are surgically removed.
  • Lumpectomy: the breast lump and surrounding tissue, as well as some lymph tissue, are surgically removed. When combined with radiation treatment, this is known as breast-conserving surgery.
Breast Reconstruction

When a breast has been removed (mastectomy) because of cancer or other disease, it is possible in most cases to reconstruct a breast similar to a natural breast. A breast reconstruction can be performed as part of the breast removal operation or can be performed months or years later. There are two methods of breast reconstruction: one involves using an implant; the other uses tissue taken from another part of your body. There may be medical reasons why one of these methods is more suitable for you or, in other cases, you may be given a choice. Implants A silicone sack filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water) is inserted underneath the chest muscle and skin. Before being inserted, the skin will sometimes need to be stretched to the required breast size. This is done by placing an empty bag where the implant will finally go, and gradually filling it with saline over weeks or months. The bag is then replaced by the implant in an operation that will probably take 2-3 hours under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it). You will probably stay in hospital for 2-5 days. Flap Reconstruction A skin flap taken from another part of the body such as your back, stomach or buttocks, is used to reconstruct the breast. This is a more complicated operation than having an implant and may last up to 6 hours and require a 5- to 7-day stay in hospital.

When a breast has been removed (mastectomy) because of cancer or other disease, it is possible in most cases to reconstruct a breast similar to a natural breast. A breast reconstruction can be performed as part of the breast removal operation or can be performed months or years later.

There are two methods of breast reconstruction: one involves using an implant; the other uses tissue taken from another part of your body. There may be medical reasons why one of these methods is more suitable for you or, in other cases, you may be given a choice.

Implants
A silicone sack filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water) is inserted underneath the chest muscle and skin. Before being inserted, the skin will sometimes need to be stretched to the required breast size. This is done by placing an empty bag where the implant will finally go, and gradually filling it with saline over weeks or months. The bag is then replaced by the implant in an operation that will probably take 2-3 hours under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it). You will probably stay in hospital for 2-5 days.

Flap Reconstruction
A skin flap taken from another part of the body such as your back, stomach or buttocks, is used to reconstruct the breast. This is a more complicated operation than having an implant and may last up to 6 hours and require a 5- to 7-day stay in hospital.

Melanoma Treatment Including Surgery and MDT Referrals

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Contact Details

3 Anzac Street
Takapuna
Devonport-Takapuna
Auckland 0622

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Street Address

3 Anzac Street
Takapuna
Devonport-Takapuna
Auckland 0622

This page was last updated at 10:25AM on June 12, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Auckland Oncoplastic Breast Institute - Katherine Gale.