Breast Care Center of Arizona
Perhaps you have discovered a breast lump, noticed some bloody drainage or nipple retraction, or you received a letter telling you that your mammogram showed something that was not normal. Please call us to make an appointment. We want to help you. Dr Donahue will personally greet you, obtain a medical history and perform a physical exam. If you require breast ultrasound, Dr Donahue will perform the focused ultrasound exam during the same office visit. No need to make a return trip to the office!
Not all breast lumps/mammographic abnormalities are cancerous. In fact, most lumps and masses are benign. Dr. Donahue has received additional training in Image guided biopsy techniques, using Ultrasound or Stereotactic guidance. Dr. Donahue is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Dr. Donahue is also a member of the American College of Surgeons National Ultrasound Faculty and the National Stereotactic Faculty. These minimally invasive biopsies can be accomplished under local anesthesia, with very small incisions, avoiding an unnecessary trip to surgery.
If you are at high risk for developing breast cancer, our office can arrange genetic testing and risk evaluation consultations. We can also arrange high resolution Breast MRI scans for patients who require additional high definition imaging.

We provide state of the art, high quality, caring , breast care

Breast Cancer
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, Dr. Donahue will assist you in making an informed decision regarding your treatment. The decision between lumpectomy and mastectomy is based upon many factors, which need to be discussed before you make decisions regarding treatment. Pre op consultations with Radiation Therapy, Reconstructive Surgery and Medical Oncology may be necessary. You might even request a second opinion from another surgeon. Dr. Donahue strongly encourages these types of referrals. Our office can facilitate timely referrals.
After surgery, Dr. Donahue can arrange for registered nurses to visit you in your home, to monitor your recovery in the days following hospitalization.
We have the services of our highly trained oncology staff at St. Josephs available for you. The Cancer Center at St Joes can draw upon many resources for patient support, including physical therapy, reach for recovery and social services. The Cancer program at St. Joes under the direction of the Cancer Committee, and its chairman, Dr. Donahue, has established a coordinatd Breast Cancer Program that is unparalleled in the State of Arizona. All of the multidisciplinary services and support are available at the Medical Center.
Comprehensive, Caring Breast Cancer Care

Thyroid surgery
Patients with Thyroid lumps often require surgical treatment. A large thyroid mass may interfere with breathing or swallowing. Smaller lumps may be malignant.
The single most important diagnostic study in the evaluation of thyroid lumps is an ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration. This delicate procedure is usually performed by your endocrinologist. The cells are placed on a microcscope slide and sent to a pathologist who interpets the aspiration biopsy. Sometimes, the specimen contains scant or few cells, making a diagnosis impossible. During your office visit, Dr. Donahue often performs his own ultrasound exam, here in the office, to fully evaluate the anatomy and any abnormalities that might be present.
Preop counselling includes operative management plans for benign, malignant or indeterminate diagnoses, as surgical treatment is usually completed in one operation. Occasionally, a delayed diagnosis of thyroid cancer is made only after days of deliberation by the pathology department. At operation, the thyroid gland is approached through a low 'collar' type incision in the lower part of the neck.
Prior to surgery, Dr. Donahue will discuss treatment plans with you in great detail, so that you can make an informed decision.
Thyroid surgery is very challenging, but the operative risks are low when the procedure is performed by experienced thyroid surgeons like D r . Donahue.

Melanoma Surgery
Melanoma, a malignant skin cancer, is being detected frequently in the sunny Desert Southwest. Early detection improves the results of treatment.
Pigmented skin lesions or moles, that change in size/shape, that crust or bleed must be biopsied. A full thickness surgical biopsy is recommended.
Surgery is the definitive and only proven treatment for Melanoma. Sometimes, a skin graft may be required following excision of a large melanoma, or following a melanoma that is located in the facial area. Dr. Donahue oftens works in conjunction with board certified reconstructive surgeons, when dealing with complex melanoma.
Melanoma commonly spreads by way of the lymphatic system. Staging of malignant melanoma invloves an evaluation of the lymph nodes nearest to the location of the melanoma. If the melanoma has spread to these 'regional' lymph node, a complete removal of all of the lymph nodes in that area will be necessary. This lymphadenectomy is performed in the operating room.
Recentlt a new technology, sentinel node mapping, has been developed. This technique, very familiar to Dr. Donahue, allows your surgeon to identify, preoperatively, the most likely sites of lymph node metastases. During surgery, a special gamma probe is utilized to precisely identify the sites of potential metastasis. If the most likely site of spread is Not involved, then it is no longer necessary to remove all of the lymph nodes is a particular area. This dramatic advance has changed the approach to melanoma.
If you are concerned about a skin mole, or if you have been diagnosed with melanoma, please call our office in central Phoenix, 602 274 6088 to arrange a consultation with Dr. Donahue.
We provide up to date and current, state of the art technology in dealing with this serious disease.

Parathyroid/Hypercalcemia surgery
Primary hyperparathyroidism is caused by an oversecretion of parathyroid hormone from a benign parathyroid gland tumor. Most of the time, these tumors are not palpable. This type of tumor can cause an elevation in bllod calcium levels.
The symptoms of hypercalcemia can be insidious. Fatigue, depression, vague gastrointestinal upset, muscle cramping and kidney stones are some of the more common symptoms. Sometimes, patients have absolutely no symptoms! Once patients have developed symptoms, surgical treatment is indicated.
Prior to surgery, Dr. Donahue will perform a complete examination in his office. Dr. D will perform anfocused ultrasound exam of the neck, in his office, to search for the enlarged parathyroid gland, and to evaluate the thyroid gland, which is in close proximity.
Most people have 4 separate parathyroid glands in their neck. However, the location of these glands can be variable. For this reason, preop localization studies are often performed to identify the most likely location of the solitary enlarged parathyroid gland. With this information, Dr. Donahue can perform a minimally invasive parathyroid surgery, using sophisticated intraoperative localization techniques, to clearly identify and to surgically remove the diseased tissue.
Parathyroid gland surgery can be very complicated, it is essential that your surgeon is experienced and well versed in operative strategies.

Please call our office if you have been diagnosed with hypercalcemia.

Hernia Surgery
Most hernias are located in the abdominal wall/groin area. Hernias can occur in incisions, in the belly button area or in the groin. The most common symptom of a hernia is a bump or lump that protrudes into the skin. Dr. Donahue has more that 20 years experience in the diagnosis and treatment of hernia. Many operations can be performed under local anesthesia.
Dr. Donahue utilizes the most up to date and time tested surgical techniques in his treatment of hernia.
Most hernia operations are performed in the outpatient surgery department.

Call Dr. Donahue if you require surgical treatment for your hernia. 602 274 6088

Breast Care Center of Arizona
The Breast Care Center of Arizona is located at our office at 333 West Thomas Road. A full range of medical services are available including evaluation of breast lumps and abnormal mammograms, as well as the evaluation of nipple discharge and breast cancer risk assessment.

SENTINEL LYMPH NODE BIOPSY
Exciting new technologies have been developed to identify the most likely site of lymph node metastases in patients who have been diagnosed with Breast cancer or Melanoma. Dr. Donahue has learned the most recent innovations in sentinel node biopsy techniques.
If you require a sentinel node lymph node biopsy for breast cancer or melanoma, please call our office, so that we may assist you.