Melissa Pilewskie, MD, FACS

 Melissa L. Pilewskie
Maud T Lane Research Professor of Translational Science
Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery
Ambulatory Care Clinical Chief
Medical School
[email protected]
Available to mentor
Melissa Pilewskie, MD, FACS
Melissa L. Pilewskie
Clinical Associate Professor
  • About
  • Qualifications
  • Research Overview
  • Recent Publications

  • Manage Your Profile

    • About

    My clinical interest focuses on the surgical care of breast cancer in patients and those with an increased risk for the development of breast cancer including populations with genetic predispositions or a diagnosis of a high-risk breast lesion.

    Qualifications
    • Fellow, Breast Surgery
      Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
      2012 - 2013
      Clinical Fellowship
    • Resident, General Surgery
      Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
      2007 - 2012
      Residency
    • Administrative Chief Resident
      Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
      2011 - 2012
      Chief Resident
    • MD
      Ohio State University Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
      2003 - 2007
    • BS, Biology
      University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
      1998 - 2002

    Research Overview

    My research focuses on two distinct areas impacting the care of our breast cancer patients:
    - Populations at increased breast cancer risk with an interest in novel strategies for risk reduction.
    - Axillary surgery de-escalation to maintain oncologic safety while minimizing surgical morbidity.

    Recent Publications

     See All Publications
    • Presentation
      Axillary Management Upfront and After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: What's New?
      Pilewskie M. 2026 Jul 13;
    • Presentation
      Axillary Management Upfront and After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: What's New?
      Pilewskie M. 2026 Jul 13;
    • Journal Article
      Barriers to integrating obesity management into cancer survivorship care: Results from a single-institution survey.
      Akuoko J, Pilewskie ML, Dossett LA, Howard R. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2026 Jun 1; 44 (16): e13783 - e13783. DOI:10.1200/JCO.2026.44.16_suppl.e13783
    • Presentation
      High Risk Breast Lesions
      Pilewskie M. 2026 Jun 12;
    • Presentation
      High Risk Breast Lesions
      Pilewskie M. 2026 Jun 12;
    • Journal Article
      Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Patients With cN1 HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer and Palpable Adenopathy: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial.
      Mamtani A, Pilewskie M, Wilson N, Chung Whang H, Barrio AV, Bassin L, Capko D, Choi DX, Cody HS, Downs-Canner S, El-Tamer M, Gemignani ML, Heerdt AS, Kirstein L, Lee MK, Mango VL, Montagna G, Moo T-A, Oxenberg J, Plitas G, Sabel M, Sacchini V, Sclafani L, Sevilimedu V, Tadros AB, Van Zee KJ, Morrow M. JAMA Surg, 2026 May 6; DOI:10.1001/jamasurg.2026.1268
      PMID: PMC13150728
    • Presentation
      Is There a Role for Hormone Replacement Therapy in Breast Cancer High-Risk Patients?
      Pilewskie M. 2026 May 4;
    • Presentation
      Is There a Role for Hormone Replacement Therapy in Breast Cancer High-Risk Patients?
      Pilewskie M. 2026 May 4;

    Featured News & Stories

         breast cancer checking graphic image in different pinks
    Health Lab

    How to assess your risk for breast cancer

    Melissa Pilewskie, M.D., answers questions about how you can accurately assess your risk and what lifestyle changes can help reduce the likelihood of developing breast cancer.