Mr Paul Thiruchelvam

Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

Very thorough, considerate and instilling of confidence. I felt safe and well cared for throughout. Backed up by excellent breast care nurses Orla and Emily whos compassion and attention to detail cannot be faulted.

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Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

I was recalled after a routine mammogram in late January 2019. I was told that micro calcifications had been found in a small area in my left breast. Further mammogram images were taken and a vacuum assisted biopsy was done on the same day. A marker clip was inserted after the biopsy to mark the affected area. I was informed that I had High Grade DCIS and would need a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy. I was put under the care of Mr Paul Thiruchelvam at Charing Cross Hospital. Mr Thiruchelvam explained the reasons for surgery and suggested that he could carry out the surgery three weeks later. I had my pre-op appointment with Mr Thiruchelvam, and he informed me that he would carry out what is known as a donut mammoplasty. The incision runs right around the areola. The DCIS was situated towards the centre of my left breast near my nipple. I was told that my breast would be reduced in size, and that the breast would be more pert. I was asked to come in the following morning for a 7.30am admission for surgery. Before going to theatre I was taken to have a wire inserted in my breast under ultrasound or x-ray (mammogram). This is where things went a bit against me and I ended up going to surgery much later than planned. The marker clip had moved since the biopsy, and it was explained to me that if they could not insert the wire to accurately determine the affected area for the surgeon, then it would perhaps mean cancelling the surgery altogether. The third attempt to fit the wire was successful and I was taken back to the surgical ward to wait for my surgery by which time it was early afternoon. My surgery went very well, and I was discharged a couple of hours later. At my post operative appointment, Mr Thiruchelvam informed me that he had removed more tissue that previously planned. The affected area of intermediate and high grade DCIS was 21mm and not 6mm as I had been told. There was no invasive malignancy and the margins were clear. I had three weeks of radiotherapy following surgery. The scar runs all around the areola, and has healed well. My breast felt quite swollen for a couple of weeks following the surgery, but gradually things settled down. The breast which has been operated on is visibly smaller and more pert than the other one. Seven months have now passed since the surgery, and the results are much better than I had expected. The scar circling the areola is hardly visible now. Mr Thiruchelvam has done a very good job, and I would definitely recommend him as a surgeon. He strives to give his patients aesthetically pleasing results something that is so important to many women who have to face breast cancer surgery. He has a very pleasant and friendly manner with his patients, and I felt reassured under his care.

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Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

I was so relieved and thankful to have had my cancerous tumour removed from my breast by the very skilful and experienced surgeon Mr Paul Thirichelvam. Inspite of all the complications that he discovered in my body during the operation, through his expertise he succeeded in bringing it to a successful completion, aesthetically pleasing and oncologically safe. I must mention the lovely team nurse Celia Simeon who gave me great support through this very challenging time in my life, giving me information with sensitivity and sorting out my web of appointments. Thank you to the team.

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Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

Lumpectomy & SNB following BC diagnosis. Very thorough and efficient surgery , backed up by great support from breast services dept. whose excellent nurses are so helpful & caring. There is an awful lot of information to process, some quite complicated, so it is very important to have time with the nurses who can clarify matters. The Macmillan service is fantastic too - really helpful to have a point of contact in such a huge organisation. Very good follow up - any issues swiftly dealt with. Hospital stay was surprisingly good - very clean wards, again very caring &efficient staff. Very impressed with everyone at Charing Cross.

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Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

At such a fearful time in my life, I didn't know what to expect. Mr Paul Thiruchelvam explained everything in a way that was easy to follow and understand. He is caring in his manner and I could not have asked for better care. His surgery is amazing and post op care was equally top rated. I am forever grateful to him.

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