Giacomo Montagna, MD, MPH
Breast Surgeon
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Areas of Expertise
My Specialties
- Oncoplastic Breast Surgery
- Rare Breast Tumors
- Breast Cancer
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About Me
- Director, Rare Breast Cancer Program, Department of Surgery
I am a breast surgeon who treats benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) breast diseases. I am experienced in all the latest surgical approaches for all types of procedures, including:
- Axillary surgery to access the lymph nodes in the armpit area
- Oncoplastic breast surgery, such as nipple sparing mastectomy, and breast conservation methods. These procedures can help preserve the physical appearance of the natural breast after cancer treatment.
When patients first meet with me, they are often scared about what lies ahead. They have many questions about how their diagnosis and treatment will affect their quality of life. I take the time to clearly answer their questions, understand their concerns, and explain their options. My goal is to help them make an informed decision about the next steps in their care. I want them to leave my office with an understanding of their disease and a clear treatment plan.
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At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), I work as part of a team that includes experts from:
- Medical oncology
- Pathology
- Plastic surgery
- Psychology
- Radiation oncology
- Radiology
Our goal is to deliver the highest quality of care that offers the best possible result. We start by creating a treatment plan that meets each patient’s personal needs and preferences.
I also have a special interest in studying rare types of breast cancer, such as metaplastic breast cancer and phyllodes tumors. These rare tumors account for approximately 1% of all breast cancers. Their biology is different from that of more common breast cancers, like ductal or lobular cancer. However, there is a lack of research data in this area. As a result, these tumors are treated based on guidance from general breast cancer guidelines.
I also co-lead MSK’s Rare Breast Cancer Program with my colleague, Nour Abuhadra. Our mission is to support people with rare breast tumors throughout their cancer journey, and to advance research in the field.
A breast surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on breasts.
My Specialties
- Oncoplastic Breast Surgery
- Rare Breast Tumors
- Breast Cancer
- Benign Breast Diseases
Education
- MD, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
- CAS, Breast Cancer Treatment, University of Ulm, Germany
- MPH, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Residencies
- Obstetrics and Gynecology - Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale and University Hospital of Basel
Fellowships
- Oncoplastic Breast Surgery - University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland
- Clinical Research - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Breast Surgical Oncology - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Board Certifications
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (Switzerland)
Insurance Information
Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
MSK has a tentative agreement with Cigna to continue coverage in 2024.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.
If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.
If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.
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New Patients
Current Patients
Contact and Location
Dr. Montagna sees patients at two locations.
Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.
Colleagues
Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.
Clinical Trials
Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.
You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.
Search clinical trialsResearch and Publications
Selected Publications
Weber WP, Matrai Z, Hayoz S, Tausch C, Henke G, Zimmermann F, Montagna G, Fitzal F, Gnant M, Ruhstaller T, Muenst S, Mueller A, Lelièvre L, Heil J, Knauer M, Egle D, Sávolt Á, Heidinger M, Kurzeder C; TAXIS Study Writing Group; Zwahlen DR, Gruber G, Ackerknecht M, Kuemmel S, Bjelic-Radisic V, Smanykó V, Vrieling C, Satler R, Hagen D, Becciolini C, Bucher S, Simonson C, Fehr PM, Gabriel N, Maráz R, Sarlos D, Dedes KJ, Leo C, Berclaz G, Fansa H, Hager C, Reisenberger K, Singer CF, Loibl S, Winkler J, Lam GT, Fehr MK, Kohlik M, Clerc K, Ostapenko V, Maggi N, Schulz A, Andreozzi M, Goldschmidt M, Saccilotto R, Markellou P. Association of Axillary Dissection With Systemic Therapy in Patients With Clinically Node-Positive Breast Cancer. JAMA Surg. 2023 Oct 1;158(10):1013-1021. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2023.2840.PMID: 37466971
Montagna G, Zhang J, Sevilimedu V, Charyn J, Abbate K, Gomez EA, Mehrara B, Morrow M, Barrio AV. Risk Factors and Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Patients With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema. JAMA Oncol. 2022 Aug 1;8(8):1195-1200. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2022.1628.PMID: 35679026
Montagna G, Schaffar R, Bordoni A, Spitale A, Terribile DA, Rossi L, Bergeron Y, van der Linden BWA, Konzelmann I, Rohrmann S, Staehelin K, Maspoli-Conconi M, Bulliard JL, Meani F, Pagani O, Rapiti E. Management and Outcome of Young Women (≤40 Years) with Breast Cancer in Switzerland. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Mar 4;14(5):1328. doi: 10.3390/cancers14051328.PMID: 35267635
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Barrio AV, Montagna G, Mamtani A, Sevilimedu V, Edelweiss M, Capko D, Cody HS 3rd, El-Tamer M, Gemignani ML, Heerdt A, Kirstein L, Moo TA, Pilewskie M, Plitas G, Sacchini V, Sclafani L, Tadros A, Van Zee KJ, Morrow M. Nodal Recurrence in Patients With Node-Positive Breast Cancer Treated With Sentinel Node Biopsy Alone After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy-A Rare Event. JAMA Oncol. 2021 Dec 1;7(12):1851-1855. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.4394.PMID: 34617979
Rocco N, Montagna G, Criscitiello C, Nava MB, Privitera F, Taher W, Gloria A, Catanuto G. Nipple Sparing Mastectomy as a Risk-Reducing Procedure for BRCA-Mutated Patients. Genes (Basel). 2021 Feb 10;12(2):253. doi: 10.3390/genes12020253.PMID: 33578759
Dubsky P, Pinker K, Cardoso F, Montagna G, Ritter M, Denkert C, Rubio IT, de Azambuja E, Curigliano G, Gentilini O, Gnant M, Günthert A, Hauser N, Heil J, Knauer M, Knotek-Roggenbauerc M, Knox S, Kovacs T, Kuerer HM, Loibl S, Mannhart M, Meattini I, Penault-Llorca F, Radosevic-Robin N, Sager P, Španić T, Steyerova P, Tausch C, Peeters MTFDV, Weber WP, Cardoso MJ, Poortmans P. Breast conservation and axillary management after primary systemic therapy in patients with early-stage breast cancer: the Lucerne toolbox. Lancet Oncol. 2021 Jan;22(1):e18-e28. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30580-5.PMID: 33387500
Montagna G, Gupta HV, Hannum M, Tan KS, Lee J, Scarpa JR, Plitas G, Irie T, McCormick PJ, Fischer GW, Morrow M, Mincer JS. Intraoperative opioids are associated with improved recurrence-free survival in triple-negative breast cancer. Br J Anaesth. 2021 Feb;126(2):367-376. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2020.10.021. Epub 2020 Nov 19.PMID: 33220939
Montagna G, Sevilimedu V, Fornier M, Jhaveri K, Morrow M, Pilewskie ML. How Effective is Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy (NET) in Downstaging the Axilla and Achieving Breast-Conserving Surgery? Ann Surg Oncol. 2020 Nov;27(12):4702-4710. doi: 10.1245/s10434-020-08888-7. Epub 2020 Aug 24.PMID: 32839900
Weber WP, Morrow M, Boniface J, Pusic A, Montagna G, Kappos EA, Ritter M, Haug M, Kurzeder C, Saccilotto R, Schulz A, Benson J, Fitzal F, Matrai Z, Shaw J, Peeters MV, Potter S, Heil J; Oncoplastic Breast Consortium. Knowledge gaps in oncoplastic breast surgery. Lancet Oncol. 2020 Aug;21(8):e375-e385. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30084-X.PMID: 32758475
Montagna G, Mamtani A, Knezevic A, Brogi E, Barrio AV, Morrow M. Selecting Node-Positive Patients for Axillary Downstaging with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2020 Oct;27(11):4515-4522. doi: 10.1245/s10434-020-08650-z. Epub 2020 Jun 2.PMID: 32488513
Montagna G, Morrow M. Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in breast cancer: what to discuss with patients. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2020 Mar;20(3):159-166. doi: 10.1080/14737140.2020.1732213. Epub 2020 Feb 28.PMID: 32077338
Montagna G, Schneeberger AR, Rossi L, Reina H, Schwab FD, Schoetzau A, Eichholzer M, Pagani O, Weber WP, Kurzeder C, Güth U, Huber CG. The impact of depression on adherence to organized and opportunistic breast cancer screening. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2020 Jan;29(1):53-59. doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000520.PMID: 30998527
Montagna G, Schneeberger AR, Rossi L, Bianchi Micheli G, Meani F, Imperiali M, Spitale A, Pagani O. Can we make a portrait of women with inoperable locally advanced breast cancer? Breast. 2017 Jun;33:83-90. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2017.03.002. Epub 2017 Mar 10.PMID: 28288387
Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Montagna’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
See all on PubMedPatient Reviews
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Disclosures
Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.
MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.
Giacomo Montagna discloses the following relationships and financial interests:
No disclosures meeting criteria for time period
If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.
The information published here is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.
This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2022 through disclosure submission in spring 2023). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.
Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].
