Janet H Coombs, MD in Chattanooga: Surgical Oncology and Breast Surgery

Janet H Coombs, MD is a surgical oncologist and breast surgeon practicing in Chattanooga who specializes in the diagnosis and operative treatment of breast cancer, benign breast disease, and related surgical oncology cases. Her practice sits within Chattanooga's medical landscape as one of the few surgeons in the area whose focus is specifically oncologic rather than general surgical, a distinction that matters for patients seeking expertise in cancer-related procedures rather than appendectomies or gallbladder removals.

What Coombs Actually Offers

Coombs holds board certification in general surgery and surgical oncology, completed a surgical oncology fellowship, and focuses her practice on breast cancer treatment, including lumpectomy and mastectomy, reconstruction planning and coordination, sentinel lymph node biopsy, axillary dissection, and management of benign breast conditions such as fibrocystic change, fibroadenoma, and suspicious lesions found on imaging. Her training distinguishes surgical oncology from general surgery by depth of focus: surgical oncologists complete additional fellowship training specifically in cancer surgery technique, multidisciplinary tumor board participation, and chemotherapy-radiation coordination. For Chattanooga patients, this means a surgeon whose daily work centers on cancer cases rather than cancer as part of a broader general surgery practice.

Services and What to Expect Cost-Wise

Breast surgical procedures are priced by insurance, not as out-of-pocket cash fees; the total patient responsibility depends on deductible, coinsurance, and whether the surgeon is in-network. Coombs accepts insurance but specifics on in-network status vary by plan. Patients should confirm coverage with their insurer before scheduling, as surgical oncology is typically covered at a specialist level rather than primary care. Consultation copays generally range from $25 to $50 depending on the plan; surgical fees are quoted only after imaging and pathology are reviewed. Reconstruction discussions often involve coordination with plastic surgeons; Chattanooga has plastic surgery practices that coordinate with surgical oncologists, though a patient may want to know whether their preferred plastic surgeon is in-network before committing to an oncologic surgeon.

How Coombs Compares to Chattanooga's Other Surgical Options

Chattanooga's larger hospitals including Erlanger and Parkridge operate general surgery departments with surgeons who treat breast cancer alongside other conditions. The key difference: a general surgeon may manage 20 to 40 breast cancers per year; a dedicated surgical oncologist typically manages 100 or more annually. For a routine breast biopsy or benign lump, a general surgeon is adequate and may have shorter wait times. For invasive breast cancer, especially triple-negative or locally advanced disease, or when reconstruction coordination is central to the plan, a surgical oncologist's depth of experience in oncologic resection margins, lymph node assessment, and cancer-specific multidisciplinary planning adds measurable value. Patients with early-stage disease and those prioritizing convenience may choose a general surgeon at a primary hospital; patients with stage II or higher disease, or those who specifically want reconstruction-focused coordination, typically benefit from Coombs's specialty focus.

Who Coombs Suits and Who It Does Not

Coombs is the right choice for patients with a confirmed or suspected breast cancer diagnosis, especially those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy who need a surgeon experienced in coordinating care across medical and surgical oncology. She also sees patients with high-risk benign disease (multiple atypical lesions, strong family history) where surgical judgment about excision versus surveillance matters. Patients seeking primary-care physician referrals for benign breast complaints, or those unable to wait 2 to 4 weeks for a specialty appointment, may be better served by a general surgeon at an urgent or primary care clinic. Patients in rural areas of East Tennessee outside Chattanooga may find travel burdensome; telemedicine consultations are sometimes available for initial discussions, but surgery requires in-person evaluation.

What a First Consultation Involves

New patients typically receive an appointment 1 to 3 weeks out (verification recommended with the office). The first visit is 45 minutes to an hour. Bring prior imaging (mammogram, ultrasound, MRI films or reports), pathology reports if a biopsy has been done, a list of current medications, and family cancer history. Coombs reviews imaging, performs a clinical breast exam, discusses findings, and if surgery is planned, outlines the procedure, anesthesia options (general or monitored sedation), recovery timeline (2 to 4 weeks before heavy lifting for lumpectomy; 4 to 6 weeks for mastectomy), and reconstruction logistics. Insurance verification happens before surgery; out-of-pocket costs are estimated once the surgical site of care is confirmed.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

Verify current hours by calling the office directly; surgical oncology practices often operate 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with limited or no weekend availability. Parking at the practice location depends on affiliation; if she operates through Erlanger or Parkridge, ask which campus and whether the building has dedicated patient parking or valet. Surgical procedures are scheduled at the affiliated hospital's operating room; pre-op appointments may occur at the office, with surgery at the hospital. Allow 2 to 4 hours for the surgical day itself from check-in to discharge if same-day discharge applies.

Coombs fills a specialized niche in Chattanooga's surgical landscape: she brings daily expertise in cancer resection and multidisciplinary coordination that matters most when diagnosis is confirmed and margins and lymph node assessment determine treatment success.