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Breast Cancer Surgery and Reconstruction

St. Luke’s Cancer Institute works in close collaboration with the leading breast surgeons in the region—a group of highly skilled physicians with expertise in the latest, most effective breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction procedures. These surgeons:

  • Collectively perform more than 500 breast surgeries each year.
  • Meet regularly with our multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists to discuss the best approaches for individual and complex cases.
  • Collaborate closely with St. Luke’s Cancer Institute oncologists and your primary care doctor.
  • Tailor treatment to your unique needs.
  • Are available for prompt surgical consultation upon diagnosis.
  • Consult with women at high risk for breast cancer, helping them manage their screening and long-term breast health through St. Luke’s High Risk Breast Clinic.

Cancer Removal Surgery

Most people diagnosed with breast cancer have surgery to remove the cancer. You may have breast-conserving surgery or surgery to remove the entire breast. Some of the lymph nodes under the arm may also be removed to check for cancer cells. The kind of surgery you have may depend on the size and location of your cancer and your personal preferences. Our team will partner with you to review your options for removing the cancer and for breast reconstruction, if applicable.

Breast Cancer Reconstruction Surgery

St. Luke's is proud to offer leading-edge procedures for breast reconstruction surgery. During your consultation, we'll discuss available options, including using implants or your own tissue through fat grafting, abdominal free flap, free flap from thigh, or latissimus flap procedures. When appropriate based on your unique circumstances, cancer removal and breast reconstruction surgery may also be completed in one day as part of the same surgery.

If you've been diagnosed with breast cancer and would like to see a St. Luke's breast surgeon, our nurse navigators can help coordinate a referral.
Please call (208) 463-6078.

Highlights & Resources

Providers

  • Plastic Surgery

    Biography

    Sumiko (Susan) J. Hegstad, MD trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. She has professional interest in surgery of the breast and body, functional medicine and the study of systems biology in health and disease, and nutrigenomics. She is a founding member of the reconstructive breast surgery team at St. Luke's.

    Dr. Hegstad has served the Treasure Valley for many years, bringing her compassionate care and surgical expertise to patients throughout the region. She is excited to help bring a full range of breast services to St. Luke's patients. Please note, Dr. Hegstad's practice at St. Luke's focuses on procedures that are covered by insurance. She serves patients interested in self-pay cosmetic procedures at her private practice (no referral required for these patients).

    Prior to her medical education, Dr. Hegstad earned her bachelor's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Centre College, graduating magna cum laude.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

  • General Surgery

    Biography

    Scott A. Henson, MD, FACS specializes in breast cancer surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, and hernia repair. 

    Dr. Henson earned his bachelor's degree in pre-medicine from the University of Notre Dame and his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he also completed his general surgical residency and internship. Dr. Henson is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Idaho Medical Association, Ada County Medical Society, and American Society of Breast Surgeons.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

  • General Surgery

    Biography

    Elizabeth R. Livingston, MD is a board certified general surgeon with a special interest in breast disease. She developed an interest in surgical management of breast diseases in medical school and residency, where she worked at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Dr. Livingston is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Breast Surgeons.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

  • General Surgery

    Biography

    Rhiana S. Menen, MD is a clinical and academic surgeon with experience and training in general and laparoscopic surgery. She also completed fellowship training in breast surgical oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Menen has particular interest in cancer care, women's health, and cancer prevention. She is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Breast Surgeons. 

    Dr. Menen is also interested in international and medically underserved populations, and has done medical outreach trips to India and Kenya. 

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

  • Plastic Surgery

    Biography

    Dinu Mistry, MD is a fellowship-trained plastic surgeon specializing in breast surgery. In her work at St. Luke's, she focuses on both implant-based and soft-tissue (flap) reconstruction for breast cancer patients. In her private practice, Dr. Mistry performs all types of reconstructive and cosmetic breast procedures, as well as abdominoplasties and body contouring. She has also become a regional resource for patients who require complex revisions of previous breast surgeries. 

    After medical school at Washington University, Dr. Mistry completed two residencies, in general surgery and plastic surgery, at the University of Texas Health Science Center. She then practiced with the MacGregor Medical Association, a large multispecialty group, prior to relocating to Boise. At MacGregor, she served as chairperson of the department of surgery and as a member of their board of directors. Dr. Mistry completed her fellowship training in cancer reconstruction at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

    Dr. Mistry is a Fulbright Scholar and has a degree in Germanic languages and literature from the University of Illinois.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

  • Plastic Surgery

    Biography

    Louis H. Poppler, MD, MSCI specializes in minimally invasive reconstructive surgery for patients with cancer, trauma, or birth differences. He has specific training to care for both adults and children. His goal is to help people feel whole again, so they can return to doing the things they love. This means treating you as a whole person, rather than just addressing the problem at hand. 

    Dr. Poppler will listen to you, considering your goals and struggles, to plan for an outstanding result. His dual plastic and orthopedic surgery training, coupled with extensive experience with nerve injury, reconstruction, and pain resolution, allow Dr. Poppler to approach any reconstructive challenge from multiple perspectives. He’ll form a solution specific to you that minimizes incisions, surgical trauma, and length of surgery while avoiding nerve injuries to minimize pain and recovery time, and maximize function.

    In addition to plastic surgery training, Dr. Poppler has completed fellowships in orthopedic hand surgery and microsurgical reconstructive surgery at the Mayo Clinic, and surgery for peripheral nerve injury and pain with surgical pioneer Dr. Susan Mackinnon at Washington University. Dr. Poppler has had the opportunity to travel all over the world to learn cutting-edge techniques and skills to better serve his patients. On these trips, he has connected with international experts to 1) refine his skills using a scope (a small camera inserted into the belly, a joint, or between tissues), which allows him to perform most operations through very small incisions, and 2) learn to use ultrasound to assess anatomy before surgery to more accurately diagnose problems, make many key surgical decisions before surgery, minimize a patient's time under anesthesia, and avoid complications from anatomical variations. Following the example of the Mayo brothers, Dr. Poppler continues to travel and learn. He recently received a prestigious award from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand to travel to China to learn from talented microsurgeons taking care of adults and children with complex injuries of the nerves, hand, and body. 

    Dr. Poppler returned to Boise, his hometown, to start St. Luke’s reconstructive microsurgery program. Microsurgery (surgery with the help of a microscope) allows Dr. Poppler to borrow redundant tissue from any place on the body and reattach it in another area. This versatile technique allows him to replace bone with bone, muscle with muscle, nerve with nerve, fat with fat, and skin with skin, for a more natural outcome. 

    Dr. Poppler feels blessed to bring the skills he has learned all over the world home to Idaho. Dr. Poppler is an Eagle Scout and graduated from Timberline High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in diplomacy from Georgetown University, where he graduated with honors. He credits his diplomacy training with making him a great listener and helping him always keep an open mind. Dr. Poppler attended medical school at the University of Washington as part of the highly competitive Idaho WWAMI program. He has a master’s degree in clinical research from Washington University and continues cutting-edge research in the field of nerve injury reconstruction. 

    Dr. Poppler enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors with his family, hiking, biking, fishing, and skiing. He also enjoys performing research, learning, and writing about new techniques in reconstructive surgery. A firm believer in giving back, Dr. Poppler also travels on medical missions to help those who otherwise would not have access to specialty health care.

    Surgical Specialties

    • Breast reconstruction
    • Breast surgery
    • Hand and upper extremity reconstruction
    • Pediatric hand differences
    • Nerve injury or compression
    • Lower extremity reconstruction
    • Facial reconstruction
    • Cosmetic and aesthetic surgery

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • Plastic Surgery

    Biography

    Ketan Sharma, MD, MPH specializes in the entire spectrum of plastic and reconstructive surgery. He has advanced fellowship training to help patients with breast cancer, hand and nerve injuries, brachial plexus injuries, and wounds resulting from cancer or trauma.

    Dr. Sharma was recruited to Boise to expand the reconstructive microsurgery program. These procedures involve transferring available and redundant tissue from one part of the body to reconstruct a critical defect in another part of the body, while reattaching blood vessels and nerves to restore form and function. Microsurgery has revolutionized the practice of reconstruction itself, and provides patients a wider range of reconstructive options with superior results. For example, certain breast cancer patients can have their breasts reconstructed with their own tissue which is more natural and more resistant to infection or radiation, while patients involved in severe trauma with wounds to their legs may avoid amputation. Dr. Sharma's other area of interest is brachial plexus injuries, and he performs nerve and tendon transfers to restore function so patients can regain use of their affected arm.

    Dr. Sharma received a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University. He then attended medical school at Duke University, and during that time also obtained a master's degree in public health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He went on to complete residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Washington University, where he trained under the mentorship of Dr. Susan Mackinnon, a world famous nerve specialist. He completed his training with an orthopedic hand and microsurgery fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania.

    Dr. Sharma has a keen interest in global health and global surgery. He helped build a breast cancer registry with Partners-in-Health / Zanmi Lasante in Haiti; worked with Operation Smile in Guwahati, India; and recently went on a medical mission trip to Madagascar where he helped children with congenital hand defects including fused fingers and missing thumbs.

    Dr. Sharma continues to engage in the academic community to stay on the forefront of cutting-edge care. He has published in some of the most renowned journals including Annals of Surgery, The Lancet: Global Health, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, and the flagship journal of the specialty, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

    Dr. Sharma greatly appreciates Idaho's mountain culture. In his free time, he enjoys running and hiking.

    Surgical Specialties

    • Breast reconstruction
    • Breast surgery
    • Hand and upper extremity reconstruction
    • Pediatric hand differences
    • Nerve injury or compression
    • Lower extremity reconstruction
    • Facial reconstruction
    • Cosmetic and aesthetic surgery

    View a more detailed list of Dr. Sharma's surgical procedures

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

Reconstructive Breast Surgery

Expert Surgeons Offer Array of Options

St. Luke's is proud to offer leading-edge procedures for breast reconstruction surgery. During your consultation, we'll discuss available options, including using implants or your own tissue through fat grafting, abdominal free flap, free flap from thigh, or latissimus flap procedures. When appropriate based on your unique circumstances, cancer removal and breast reconstruction surgery may also be completed in one day as part of the same surgery.

  • What is a Nurse Navigator?

    A cancer diagnosis brings a lot of new information and emotions. Sometimes it can be difficult to know what comes next and who can help. Our breast cancer navigators are registered nurses with years of experience in cancer care. They will provide guidance as you move through your cancer journey and will be your point of contact for questions.  

    The Role of Nurse Navigators 

    • Review and explain processes and information
    • Help coordinate appointments and try to assist with any barriers you may experience
    • Provide support to you and your family
    • Provide resources and referrals to various programs and support, as needed
  • What is Breast Cancer?
    Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control in one or both breasts. They can invade nearby tissues and form a mass, called a malignant tumor. The cancer cells can spread (metastasize) to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.

    Breast cancer that begins in the ducts of the breast is called ductal carcinoma. It is the most common type of breast cancer. When breast cancer begins in the lobes of the breast, it is called lobular carcinoma. Sometimes breast cancer is a mix of both types.

Support the Patients and Families at St. Luke's Cancer Institute

Support the Patients and Families at St. Lukes Cancer Institute

You Can Make a Difference

You can make a real difference in the lives of patients and families facing cancer. We hope you’ll help us provide the exceptional healthcare and support they deserve. We encourage you to get involved by making a financial gift, sponsoring or attending events, or volunteering your time.