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Dr. Tan Chuan Chien

Surgical Drainage of Abscess

An abscess is a pus-filled (a fluid containing dead tissues and bacteria) lump that forms due to the immune system’s response to fight a bacterial infection. In the case of a breast abscess, there is a painful build-up of pus in the breasts. Breast abscesses can be drained and removed through minimally-invasive surgery.

How Is Breast Abscess Treated?

Treatment for breast abscesses typically involves surgical drainage of the pus from the lump.

You will first be administered with a local anaesthetic before your surgeon makes a small incision on the lump to physically drain the abscess. Alternatively, they may extract the fluid using a needle with Ultrasound guidance (Ultrasound guided aspiration of abscess).

Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent future infections as well as over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen to relieve pain and inflammation.

Anyone who suspects that they have breast abscess or who has had symptoms of mastitis for more than 24 hours should seek treatment with a breast specialist early for diagnosis and treatment.

What Are the Causes & Symptoms of Breast Abscess?

If left untreated, Mastitis (or Mastitis from blocked ducts) can progress and a collection of pus (abscess) can develop in your breast, which would require surgical drainage of abscess to treat the condition.

Some of the common symptoms of a breast abscess include:

  • Pain
  • Nipple discharge
  • Redness
  • Pus-filled lumps that form under the skin of the breast
  • Swelling
  • Warmth around the affected area

How Is Breast Abscess Diagnosed?

To diagnose a breast abscess, your breast specialist may conduct a physical examination to detect any symptoms, such as unusual swelling or the presence of lumps.

An ultrasound may also be performed for a detailed inspection of your breasts to determine signs of infection or inflammation. If an abscess is present, samples of the fluid inside the lump may be extracted (fine-needle aspiration) for further testing.

DR. TAN CHUAN CHIEN

Key Guiding Philosophies

Competency

Dr. Tan is a Fellowship-trained Breast & Endocrine Surgeon who is registered on the Specialist Register (General Surgery) in both Singapore and Australia. He completed his formal Breast Surgery training through the BreastSurgANZ Fellowship Programme. He was previously Head, Division of Breast & Endocrine Surgery, NTFGH where he was the pioneer breast surgeon there developing a comprehensive, evidence-based Breast Surgery service.

Care for the wider community

Dr. Tan is passionate about engaging the wider community with regards to breast cancer outcomes. He volunteers with the Singapore Cancer Society and served as the Chairman of the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Committee from 2018 to 2021. He continues to currently serve as a member of this committee. During his time in the public hospital, Dr. Tan was involved in research on breast cancer screening and care, where he succeeded in obtaining competitive grants and managing a research team, with the overall aim to improve breast cancer outcomes in Singapore.

Patient-centered care

Dr. Tan believes in the importance of the patient experience and the partnership between doctor and patients in healing sickness. He also believes no two individuals are the same. He believes in the philosophy of personalised tailor-made care plans for each of his patients to meet their individual expectations and needs.

Comprehensive Breast, Thyroid and General Surgery service

Dr. Tan aims to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care to all his patients, in a modern equipped clinic along the entire spectrum of the patient journey from diagnosis, through treatment/surgery and aftercare.

As a supporter of personalised surgical care, I understand that no two patients are the same. I believe in tailoring management for each patient to meet each individual’s needs and expectations. A patient’s journey can be difficult and frustrating at times, so I strive to make this experience as pleasant and seamless as possible.

Dr. Tan Chuan Chien
For Singaporeans, Singapore Permanent Residents and foreigners

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Dr. Tan Chuan Chien

Consultant General Surgeon Breast & Thyroid Surgery
  • Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)- The University of Adelaide, Australia
  • Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS)
  • Full Registration, Singapore Medical Council (SMC) and Specialist Accreditation Board, Singapore (General Surgery)
  • Full General & Specialist Registration (General Surgery), Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
  • Completed Breast Surgery training through the BreastSurgANZ Fellowship programme
  • Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (FAMS)

Dr. Tan Chuan Chien is a Fellowship-trained Breast and Endocrine Surgeon practicing as a Consultant General Surgeon at Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore. He also sees patients at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre and Parkway East Medical Centre. Dr. Tan is a registered Specialist Surgeon (General Surgery) in both Singapore and Australia.

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    MAIN CLINIC

    SOG - CC Tan Breast, Thyroid & General Surgery

    • Gleneagles Medical Centre
      6 Napier Road #08-15/16
      Singapore 258499
    • Mon & Thu: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
      Tue & Fri: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
      Wed & Sat: 9:00AM - 12:30PM
    • T:
    • F: +65 6471 1088
    • M:
    OTHER PRACTICE LOCATIONS

    SOG - CC Tan Breast, Thyroid & General Surgery
    (Mount Elizabeth Novena)

    SOG - CC Tan Breast, Thyroid & General Surgery
    (Parkway East)

    MAIN CLINIC

    SOG - CC Tan Breast, Thyroid & General Surgery

    • Gleneagles Medical Centre
      6 Napier Road #08-15/16
      Singapore 258499
    • Mon & Thu: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
      Tue & Fri: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
      Wed & Sat: 9:00AM - 12:30PM
    • T:
    • F: +65 6471 1088
    • M:
    OTHER PRACTICE LOCATIONS

    SOG - CC Tan Breast, Thyroid & General Surgery
    (Mount Elizabeth Novena)

    SOG - CC Tan Breast, Thyroid & General Surgery
    (Parkway East)