Kristine Elizabeth Calhoun, M.D.

Dr. Calhoun was born and raised in Tacoma, Wash., attended medical school at UW, and feels fortunate to have returned home to Seattle after a general surgical residency in Portland, Ore., and a breast surgical oncology fellowship in Los Angeles.

Although board-certified in general surgery, she is a dedicated breast specialist, offering comprehensive care to those diagnosed with both benign and malignant breast conditions. She collaborates with a wonderful group of multi-disciplinary care specialists to provide each patient with the best care possible, from initial work up and diagnosis, to final treatment steps.

Patient Care Philosophy
"The surgical treatment of breast diseases has changed dramatically during the last quarter century. For breast cancer patients, breast preservation therapy is often a viable alternative to mastectomy, while sentinel lymph node biopsy has replaced total lymph node removal in all but a minority of women. The number of treatment options, however, can sometimes seem overwhelming when faced with a new cancer diagnosis.

"As your surgeon, and an integral member of your multidisciplinary treatment team, it is my goal to help you decide on the surgical approach which is most suitable for you and your lifestyle. Together, we will discuss all of your options and design the plan which works best for you as an individual.

"My hope is the same for every patient, whether she has a benign fibroadenoma or an invasive breast cancer. If each individual understands not only what course of action is being pursued, but more importantly, why it is being recommended, then I have accomplished my goal."

Personal Interests
Walking, traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Clinical Interests
Evaluation and treatment of benign breast conditions, including but not limited to fibroadenoma, phyllodes tumors, atypical ductal and lobular hyperplasias; lobular carcinoma in situ; nipple discharge; and prophylactic surgery for high-risk patients.The evaluation and treatment of all forms of malignant breast conditions.

Research Interests
Lobular neoplasias; sentinel node biopsy; outcomes research; breast cancer and pregnancy; collaborative research with breast radiology; and oncoplastic lumpectomy techniques and outcomes.  

Teaching Interests
She is interested in fostering breast education among all levels of general surgical residents in the clinic and operating room settings.
 
In addition, she is the clerkship site director for UW third-year medical students as they rotate on the general surgery service at UW Medical Center. 

She is an advocate for patient education and strives to provide patients with the information needed to feel confident in their individual treatment plans.

Languages
English

Expertise
Breast Care, Cancer Care (breast), Education, Surgery