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A.H. Shatila, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.S.S.O received his M.D. degree from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, He trained in surgery at the University of Louisville, Kentucky and the State University of New York Certified by the American Board of Surgery and a Diplomate of the Board, Dr. Shatila is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and a fellow of the US Society of Surgical Oncology (FSSO).
Upon moving to Middleburg Heights with his wife, Dr. Shatila realized there were no surgical oncologists in the local area. He founded Cleveland Breast Clinic in 1987, and has become one of the area's foremost breast experts in the field of women's health care. We met with Dr. Shatila recently, and listened as he outlined the services Cleveland Breast Clinic provides;
Cleveland Breast Clinic is a multi-disciplinary center providing women of Northeast Ohio with the area's finest personnel and services dedicated to female breast health care. We have acquired a team of board certified specialists who are experts in their disciplines and are assisted by an all-female, professionally qualified, highly trained, and caring staff who have developed special interest and expertise in treating breast health issues. We participate in most major managed health care insurance plans and are a Medicare program participant.
Our practice specializes in cancer surgery and treatment, and sub-specializes in breast cancer and female breast health. In our practice we provide top quality care and incorporate a state-of-the-art knowledge and technology. We also strongly believe that medicine is an art based on compassion, understanding, feelings, and service to mankind.
Our consultants provide consultations and services in:
Management of all benign breast conditions. Breast cancer screening and early detection. Risks assessment for breast cancer using computer models and providing strategies for prevention. State-of-the-art, low-dose mammography accredited by the American College of Radiology and certified by the FDA. High resolution ultrasound for diagnostic purposes and for doing the less invasive, less traumatic, less expensive, and more convenient ultrasound-guided core biopsy. Minimally invasive breast cancer treatment conserving surgery whenever applicable to save the breast and avoid mastectomy. Axillary lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy to avoid the dreaded radical axillary lymph node dissection and chronic swelling of the arm. Breast cancer chemotherapy. On-site consultation for breast cancer radio-therapy. Educational programs. Second opinions for all breast conditions.
We try to avoid doing mastectomies at any cost and believe the natural breast should be saved whenever possible. We utilize sentinel node detection to identify which lymph node is the sentinel node, or the "gatekeeper" node through which cancer cells reach other parts of the patient's body. Traditionally, surgeons would remove the surrounding lymph nodes located in the armpit in case the cancer had spread to surrounding gland. By identifying the "gatekeeper" lymph node, it can be surgically removed and then studied to determine if cancer cells are present. If there are no cancer cells in that sentinel node, there is a 99% chance that the cancer has not spread to other lymph nodes and there is no need to remove additional nodes.
Once we identify the "gatekeeper" node and determine the presence or absence of cancer cells, we can select the most appropriate avenue of surgery for the patient, whether it is selective or radical lymphadenectomy. The advantages of selective lymphadenectomy include the opportunity to save more of the lymph nodes than through radical lymphadenectomy, minimizing the amount of surgery needed, and reducing the costs and possible infection associated with any surgery. Selective lymphadenectomy can be performed on an out-patient basis with a local anesthetic which provides a much faster recovery time.
Women need to be aware of the variety of possibilities available to them. The earlier breast cancer is found, the more success we have with the sentinel lymph node detection as the cancer has not had time to spread. By detecting microscopic tumors at an early stage, the lesions can be cured by surgery alone in ninety percent of the cases.
Every woman needs to take measures to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. Call Cleveland Breast Clinic today, and don't forget to tell them The Advocate sent you!
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