Mr Paul Thiruchelvam

Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

Paul is a fantastic doctor and provided outstanding care from the outset. I had had a needle biopsy which revealed abnormalities (a surprise to him and his team given my age of 27 and having no family history of breast cancer). He was extremely thorough in his explanation of what had been found and the treatment options available and gave me every opportunity to ask questions. I underwent surgery as a day case to remove a small, pea-sized lump. Paul took care to explain how the procedure would be done and how he planned to minimise any aesthetic changes to my breast. He also explained the risks of the surgery but stressed that these were minimal given the location of the lump. Paul came to see me before the surgery, marked where he planned to make the incision and put my mind completely at ease. Following the surgery, he came back to see me before I left the hospital - a very thoughtful thing to do given he had been operating all day and probably wanted to go home! A week later I returned to the clinic for a review and found that everything was healing as it should. I also received the results of the full biopsy which found I had a different abnormality than previously thought and something usually seen in women of their 50s. Paul explained that this was very rare given my age, but gave me several research papers to read so that I could understand more about it. He also explained how he and his team planned to monitor me from now on - setting up an MRI, and subsequent annual reviews and possibly mammograms once I reach my mid-thirties. It was great knowing all of this had been thought through and that I was in excellent hands. A month following the surgery I was (unnecessarily) worried about my breast and made another appointment to see Paul. Although Paul was confident that everything was alright, he took time to listen to my concerns, explain, examine the incision area and booked me an ultrasound to put my mind at ease. It turned out everything was as it should be, as he thought. I couldn't recommend Paul highly enough. He is a truly excellent doctor - months on and I can barely see the scar from the surgery!

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Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

Mr Thiruchelvam is a wonderful doctor. The first time I saw him I was the last patient in the clinic, and there had been some earlier delays due to an emergency. I was worried that my appointment might be rushed. On the contrary, he gave me as much time as I needed, and took great care to explain the pluses and minuses of the possible routes to be taken. He explained the mastectomy option with DIEP flap. I knew that would be certain to remove the cancer at the first attempt, but it would involve a long and more serious operation, taking material from my tummy for the reconstruction. What I wanted was to avoid a mastectomy, although that had in fact been recommended at a joint meeting of the team. He respected that, confirmed that there was a risk that I might need another operation, and went on to work out how best to do the lumpectomy, given that I had 2 lumps, meaning a large area to be removed. He was concerned to achieve the best possible aesthetic result as well as to minimise the risk of having to have another operation. It was obvious that he was trying hard to consider every possible way of meeting my needs. I think I'm right in saying I had a Wide Local Excision with Therapeutic Mammoplasty. The WLE is the removal of the cancer. The TM remodels the breast by moving what remains, and repositioning the nipple. I have a "lollipop" scar, just under the breast (the stick) and around the repositioned nipple (the lolly!). The operation went very smoothly - a day case. I was seen by Mr Thiruchelvam before the op, when he marked me with felt pen and explained again what he was going to do. Amazingly I had no pain when I woke up, or afterwards. I did take pain killers for a day or so, as advised. The next morning I saw him at the clinic and he removed the dressings and the drain. There is some sort of glue over the wounds and dissolvable stitches. I needed no dressings at all after that. At every stage Mr Thiruchelvam has been careful to explain that as a large amount of the breast was removed, there will be a dent. I was very keen to get rid of the cancer, and if possible to retain my own breast. A dent is neither here or there to me! I am very lucky, and I was in very, very good hands. These two things have been achieved - the margins are clear and I have no lymph gland involvement. This doctor, and all the others I have come into contact with at Charing Cross have been wonderful and I am enormously grateful. Btw speciality should be Breast Surgery but that wasn't listed.

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Written by a carer at Charing Cross Hospital

My Mother had to undergo two operations for breast cancer, within 10 days and the care she received from Mr Paul Thiruchelvam was truly wonderful. He listened, explained everything in detail and never rushed, instead encouraging her to ask questions. I cannot speak highly enough of the care and compassion he displayed, as well as, a truly professional approach at all times.

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Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

Very caring and understanding. Extremely understanding and reassuring.

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Written by a patient at Charing Cross Hospital

I had to have a mastectomy. Paul was fantastic. He was very kind, explained all the details of what was going to happen clearly and was ready to answer and my questions. The whole situation is a very difficult one for anyone to go through and Paul helped ease this by being a great doctor and ensuring I was well looked after. I would highly recommend this doctor.

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