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Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD

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Specializes in: General Surgery and Surgical Oncology (Cancer Surgery)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine (1991)

Professional interests include: Paget's disease of the breast, skin-sparing mastectomy, prophylactic (preventive) mastectomy, and more.

200 1st Street Sw
Rochester, MN 55905

(507) 284-2511

Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD is a general surgeon in Rochester, MN specializing in general surgery and surgical oncology (cancer surgery). She graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine in 1991 and has 35 years of experience. Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD is affiliated with Mayo Clinic.

Office Locations

200 1st Street Sw
Rochester, MN 55905

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Rochester, MN

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Some issues Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD can help you with:

Breast Biopsy

Breast biopsy is a procedure where a small sample of tissue is collected from the breast for testing. A physician may prescribe a breast biopsy for a variety of reasons, but they are most frequently prescribed for a lump found in the breast. Biopsy samples extracted are examined by pathologists in a laboratory setting and are tested to determine if they are cancerous or benign, or indicative of some other condition. Depending on the lab results, physicians may prescribe additional treatment. Other circumstances which may prompt a breast biopsy include:

Mammograms that detect other unusual features in the chest, such as a cyst or calcium deposit
Breast scans or ultrasounds that display abnormalities
Nipple changes, such as scaling, crusting, or bloody discharge

Breast biopsies are collected through several different procedures and the specific type of biopsy that a patient receives depends on the size, location, and features of a breast lump or irregularity. The three main methods of collecting a breast biopsy include:

Fine needle aspiration (FNA biopsy), where a thin needle is directed into a breast lump or abnormality, extracting a small sample of tissue or liquid
Core needle biopsy (CNB biopsy), where a hollow needle is directed into a breast lump or abnormality, extracting cylinders of tissue called "cores"
Open (surgical) biopsy, where a breast lump is removed through an incision in the breast

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) are sometimes image-guided, where a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI helps direct the physician performing the needle extraction.

Fine needle aspiration, the most common biopsy method, generally requires few patient preparations. It is recommended patients avoid using lotion, deodorant, and perfume prior to their biopsy procedure. FNA biopsy is performed with local anesthesia (topical numbing cream) and typically has a quick recovery, but patients may experience soreness for a few days. Core needle biopsy extracts slightly more tissue than an FNA biopsy.

Open (surgical) biopsy is more invasive and requires general anesthesia, where patients are put to sleep during the procedure. Patients must fast prior to the surgery. After the biopsy is performed, patients are monitored in a recovery room for a time before being discharged, when they will need someone else to provide transportation.

Although some may consider breast biopsy to be a simple procedure, it can catch critical issues - particularly breast cancer - that impact wellness. If a breast biopsy reveals an underlying condition like life-threatening cancer, patients can receive the diagnosis and medical treatment that is necessary for their long-term health.

Mastectomy (Breast Removal Surgery)

Mastectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the breasts, most frequently associated with breast cancer treatment (for both male and female breast cancer patients). Breast cancer patients who receive a mastectomy typically have undergone other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and less invasive breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy). If these treatments are unsuccessful, oncologists may eventually prescribe a mastectomy. Other conditions that may prompt a mastectomy include:

Two or more cancerous regions in the same breast
Inability to receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy
High likelihood of recurring breast cancer
Large tumor that is bigger than two inches across
Pregnancy that prohibits radiation therapy
Preexisting conditions like lupus or scleroderma

Notably, some patients may elect to undergo mastectomy without a breast cancer diagnosis. Preventative (prophylactic) mastectomy is performed on those with a high risk of breast cancer, such as having a family history of the disease or carrying the breast cancer BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Preventative mastectomy substantially reduces one's chances of developing breast cancer in the future, but it cannot wholly prevent it.

Surgical oncologists perform several types of mastectomies, depending upon the severity of the breast cancer (including factors such as its location and spread), as well as the patients' own aesthetic and personal choices. The six main types of mastectomy include:

Total mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist removes an entire breast, including parts like the pectoral chest muscle, skin, and nipple.
Radical mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist removes the entire breast, underarm lymph nodes, pectoral chest muscles, and outer skin and nipple. One of the most invasive forms of mastectomy, radical mastectomy is infrequently performed.
Modified radical mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist completes a total mastectomy and also removes the underarm lymph nodes. This procedure is slightly less invasive than radical mastectomy.
Skin-sparing mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist removes cancerous breast tissue and nipple, but leaves most of breast skin. This method is used in conjunction with breast reconstruction, as implants can be added below the skin. Skin-sparing mastectomy often requires a treatment team with a surgical oncologist and a plastic surgeon experienced in breast procedures.
Nipple-sparing mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist removes cancerous breast tissue and leaves the nipple and most of the breast skin. This method is only available to patients in the early stages of breast cancer. Similar to skin-sparing mastectomy, this procedure is frequently performed with breast reconstruction.

Any of these procedures can be done on both breasts, in which case the procedure would be known as a double mastectomy. For example, a surgical oncologist might perform a total or nipple-sparing mastectomy on both breasts. Double mastectomies are often used as a preventive surgery for those who are at risk of developing breast cancer later on in life.

Patients have one or two days of hospital stay before returning home from their mastectomy procedures. Full recovery can take several months, but some patients find they are able to resume normal activity within one month of their mastectomy. Patients are advised to limit arm and chest movements whenever possible.

After surgery, patients must also adjust to changes in their appearance. While some patients choose to receive breast reconstruction, other patients may decide to wear prosthetic breasts or will simply embrace their new chest.

Mastectomies permit patients to conquer cancer and lead healthy, thriving lives as breast cancer survivors.

In The News

“Knutson and Dr. Amy Degnim, professor of surgery at Mayo Clinic, have been working on another vaccine since 2015 with recent testing specified against ductal carcinoma in situ, an early form of...”—"Multiple trials underway to create a breast cancer vaccine", Desert News, May 2023

“"Information on epithelial proliferation is obtained when a woman undergoes a breast biopsy and the findings are benign, without any evidence of cancer," explains Amy C. Degnim, MD, a surgeon at...”—"Breast Cancer Risk in Women With Progressive Epithelial Proliferation - Advances in Breast Cancer", MedPage Today, December 2017

“Study author Amy Degnim, a breast cancer surgeon at Mayo Clinic, said the actual data used in the study is preferable to a statistical model, which is hypothetical.”—"Atypical hyperplasia bigger breast cancer risk factor than previously thought, study says", Fox News, March 2015

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 25%

By Affordability:

lymph node procedures

In 2012, Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD had a list price for lymph node procedures that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% of providers in related specialties within Minnesota. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD treated as a general surgeon in Rochester, MN during 2012 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	27
cancer surgery	27
diagnostic procedures	18
doctor visit	29
excision	45
lymph node procedures	36
open surgery	18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD treated as a general surgeon in Rochester, MN during 2013 were lymph node procedures, excision, open surgery and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	14
cancer surgery	14
diagnostic procedures	18
doctor visit	12
excision	32
lymph node procedures	36
open surgery	18

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	19
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD in 2013

Hypertension	49
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD treated as a general surgeon in Rochester, MN during 2014 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	28
cancer surgery	28
diagnostic procedures	23
doctor visit	33
excision	51
lymph node procedures	44
open surgery	23

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	21
From 75 to 84	17
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD in 2014

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD treated as a general surgeon in Rochester, MN during 2015 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	33
cancer surgery	33
diagnostic procedures	23
doctor visit	49
excision	56
lymph node procedures	47
open surgery	23

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	58
From 75 to 84	34
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD in 2015

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	33
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	19
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD treated as a general surgeon in Rochester, MN during 2016 were lymph node procedures, open surgery, diagnostic procedures and excision.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD for Medicare patients.

diagnostic procedures	11
excision	11
lymph node procedures	25
open surgery	11

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	41
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	21
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD in 2016

Hypertension	51
High Cholesterol	34
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD treated as a general surgeon in Rochester, MN during 2017 were lymph node procedures, excision, open surgery and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	13
cancer surgery	13
diagnostic procedures	16
doctor visit	13
excision	29
lymph node procedures	30
open surgery	16

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	27
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD in 2017

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	31
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD treated as a general surgeon in Rochester, MN during 2018 were lymph node procedures, excision, open surgery and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	16
cancer surgery	16
diagnostic procedures	17
doctor visit	15
excision	33
lymph node procedures	35
open surgery	17

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	24
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD in 2018

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	45
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD treated as a general surgeon in Rochester, MN during 2019 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	35
cancer surgery	35
diagnostic procedures	25
doctor visit	64
excision	60
lymph node procedures	49
open surgery	25

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	62

**Age**
From 65 to 74	27
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD in 2019

Hypertension	55
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	19
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	19
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	19
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD treated as a general surgeon in Rochester, MN during 2020 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	28
cancer surgery	28
diagnostic procedures	22
doctor visit	70
excision	50
lymph node procedures	44
open surgery	22

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	28
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD in 2020

Hypertension	52
High Cholesterol	43
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD treated as a general surgeon in Rochester, MN during 2021 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	19
cancer surgery	19
diagnostic procedures	16
doctor visit	49
excision	35
lymph node procedures	33
open surgery	16

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	45

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	45
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	26
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD in 2021

Hypertension	58
High Cholesterol	38
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	24
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD treated as a general surgeon in Rochester, MN during 2022 were lymph node procedures, excision, open surgery and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	11
cancer surgery	11
diagnostic procedures	13
excision	24
lymph node procedures	24
open surgery	13

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	18
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD in 2022

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD treated as a general surgeon in Rochester, MN were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

breast procedures	22
cancer surgery	22
diagnostic procedures	18
doctor visit	37
excision	38
lymph node procedures	36
open surgery	18

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	9

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	7
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	4
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0
65 to 74	24

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD treated were cancer, hypertension, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	50
High Cholesterol	38
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	9
Depression	8
Chronic Kidney Disease	4
Asthma	0
Osteoporosis	3
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	3
Atrial Fibrillation	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	68

Education & Training

Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine in 1991. She completed residency at University of North Carolina (UNC) Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the General Surgery American Board of Surgery and has a state license in Minnesota.

Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine (1991)

Residency: University of North Carolina (UNC) Affiliated Hospitals (1998)

Board Certification: General Surgery American Board of Surgery (1999)

Licensed In: Minnesota

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Mayo Clinic

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Amy C. Degnim, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Medical Device Business Services, Inc.	$93 $93

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$93

Biography

Dr. Amy Degnim specializes in general surgery and surgical oncology (cancer surgery). Her areas of expertise include the following: sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), prophylactic (preventive) mastectomy, and paget's disease of the breast. After completing medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, she performed her residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of North Carolina (UNC). Dr. Degnim's distinctions include: Joe M. & Ruth Roberts Professor of Surgery - Mayo Foundation; K12 Career Development Award - National Institutes of Health; and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, Elected Junior Year - University of North Carolina. She is affiliated with Mayo Clinic.