Procedure Volume Patient Data Patient Conditions Reviews General Payments Back to Top

Home > AK Providers > Surgical Oncologists

Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD

(Dr. Laurie Jane Bleicher, MD)

(No ratings)

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

Yale School of Medicine (1971)

Professional interests include: breast cancer screening, galactocele (milk-filled cyst), galactorrhea (nipple discharge), and more.

3851 Piper Street Suite U 422
Anchorage, AK 99508

(907) 561-2533

Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD is a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK specializing in general surgery, surgical oncology (cancer surgery) and plastic surgery. She graduated from Yale School of Medicine in 1971 and has 55 years of experience. Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD is affiliated with Providence, Alaska Regional Hospital and Providence Alaska Medical Center.

Office Locations

3851 Piper Street Suite U 422
Anchorage, AK 99508

open_in_new

Some issues Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, 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 (see more mentions in the news)

“"I had excellent doctors that had an excellent team," she said, "Interestingly enough, my first bout 30 years ago, my surgeon was Dr. Laurie Bleicher and she's still working and she was my surgeon...”—"Pink flamingos and a meaningful cause: Alaska Run for Women takes off in its return to in-person festivities", Anchorage Daily News, June 2022

“Laurie J Bleicher, MD, Anchorage, Alaska.”—"Ask Amy: About that jerk who called the stay-at-home mom lazy", Mercury News, December 2021

“- Laurie J Bleicher, MD, Anchorage, Alaska.”—"Ask Amy: Readers offer their own advice", Chicago Tribune, December 2021

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD in 2023

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

Top 5%

By Volume:

biopsy

breast cancer surgery

breast surgery

excision

lymph node procedures

open lymph node biopsy

partial mastectomy

In 2023, Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD performed more biopsy, breast cancer surgery, breast surgery, excision, lymph node procedures, open lymph node biopsy, and partial mastectomy procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of providers in related specialties within Alaska.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD treated as a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2012 were excision, breast procedures, cancer surgery and open surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	31
cancer surgery	31
diagnostic procedures	23
doctor visit	279
excision	54
lymph node procedures	23
open surgery	23

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD treated as a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2013 were excision, breast procedures, cancer surgery and open surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	32
cancer surgery	32
diagnostic procedures	15
doctor visit	294
excision	47
lymph node procedures	15
open surgery	15

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	201
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	147
From 75 to 84	63
85 and over	11
Less than 65	13

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD in 2013

Hypertension	52
High Cholesterol	41
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	13
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	10
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	71

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD treated as a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2014 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	27
cancer surgery	27
diagnostic procedures	19
doctor visit	271
excision	46
lymph node procedures	43
open surgery	19

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	201
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	135
From 75 to 84	65
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD in 2014

Hypertension	45
High Cholesterol	32
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	13
Depression	13
Chronic Kidney Disease	12
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	21
Dementia	0
Cancer	63

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD treated as a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2015 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	19
cancer surgery	19
diagnostic procedures	13
doctor visit	309
excision	32
lymph node procedures	26
open surgery	13

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	516

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	452
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	318
From 75 to 84	156
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD in 2015

Hypertension	45
High Cholesterol	34
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	10
Depression	13
Chronic Kidney Disease	13
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	5
Diabetes	21
Dementia	0
Cancer	66

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD treated as a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2016 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	23
cancer surgery	23
diagnostic procedures	17
doctor visit	308
excision	40
lymph node procedures	36
open surgery	17

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	215
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	152
From 75 to 84	66
85 and over	13
Less than 65	13

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD in 2016

Hypertension	50
High Cholesterol	43
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	14
Depression	15
Chronic Kidney Disease	13
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	23
Dementia	5
Cancer	60

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD treated as a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2017 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	24
cancer surgery	24
diagnostic procedures	18
doctor visit	300
excision	42
lymph node procedures	35
open surgery	18

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	225
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	167
From 75 to 84	70
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD in 2017

Hypertension	47
High Cholesterol	28
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	15
Depression	15
Chronic Kidney Disease	13
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	22
Dementia	0
Cancer	56

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD treated as a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2018 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	25
cancer surgery	25
diagnostic procedures	19
doctor visit	281
excision	44
lymph node procedures	40
open surgery	19

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	206
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	150
From 75 to 84	65
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD in 2018

Hypertension	44
High Cholesterol	34
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	13
Depression	13
Chronic Kidney Disease	16
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	22
Dementia	0
Cancer	59

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD treated as a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2019 were lymph node procedures, excision, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	21
cancer surgery	21
diagnostic procedures	19
doctor visit	295
excision	40
lymph node procedures	40
open surgery	19

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	227
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	164
From 75 to 84	75
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD in 2019

Hypertension	46
High Cholesterol	33
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	17
Depression	13
Chronic Kidney Disease	13
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	6
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	21
Dementia	0
Cancer	60

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD treated as a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2020 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	23
cancer surgery	23
diagnostic procedures	16
doctor visit	217
excision	39
lymph node procedures	35
open surgery	16

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	203

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	172
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	142
From 75 to 84	50
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD in 2020

Hypertension	48
High Cholesterol	34
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	15
Depression	15
Chronic Kidney Disease	10
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	6
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	21
Dementia	0
Cancer	63

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD treated as a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2021 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	32
cancer surgery	32
diagnostic procedures	26
doctor visit	268
excision	58
lymph node procedures	55
open surgery	26

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	200
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	149
From 75 to 84	70
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD in 2021

Hypertension	48
High Cholesterol	41
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	18
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	14
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	19
Dementia	0
Cancer	66

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD treated as a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK during 2022 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	39
cancer surgery	39
diagnostic procedures	20
doctor visit	254
excision	59
lymph node procedures	40
open surgery	20

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	203
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	143
From 75 to 84	78
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD in 2022

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	55
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	13
Depression	10
Chronic Kidney Disease	7
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	27
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	5
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	5
Diabetes	19
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD treated as a general surgeon in Anchorage, AK were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

breast procedures	26
cancer surgery	26
diagnostic procedures	18
doctor visit	279
excision	45
lymph node procedures	35
open surgery	18

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	65

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	209
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	68
85 and over	2
Less than 65	2
65 to 74	151

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD treated were cancer, hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Hypertension	44
High Cholesterol	34
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	12
Depression	12
Chronic Kidney Disease	11
Asthma	7
Osteoporosis	11
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	4
Diabetes	19
Atrial Fibrillation	7
Cancer	58
Dementia	0

Education & Training

Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD graduated from Yale School of Medicine in 1971. She completed residency at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York. She has a state license in Alaska.

Medical School: Yale School of Medicine (1971)

Residency: The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York (1974)

Licensed In: Alaska

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Providence

Alaska Regional Hospital

Providence Alaska Medical Center

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Aetna PPO, Medicaid, CIGNA PPO, Providence and Medicare.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Aetna PPO

Medicaid

CIGNA PPO

Providence

Medicare

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD does not have any reviews yet, be the first to leave a review of Dr. Laurie J. Bleicher, MD here: Leave a Review

(No ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
Endomagnetics Ltd	$309 Magtrace $309
Genentech USA, Inc.	$118 Perjeta $118
Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.	$114 IORT $114
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP	$94 FASLODEX $94
HOLOGIC INC	$83 Suros $83
Other	$175 Nerlynx $82	NON BRAND $68	ENTRE $26

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$894

Biography

Dr. Laurie Bleicher's specialties are plastic surgery, general surgery, and surgical oncology (cancer surgery). She studied medicine at Yale School of Medicine. Her medical residency was performed at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York and Toronto General Hospital. Clinical interests for Dr. Bleicher include prosthetics, fine needle aspiration (FNA), and bloodless medicine/transfusion-free surgery. She seems to honor several insurance carriers, including Cigna, Providence, and Aetna. Dr. Bleicher's professional affiliations include Alaska Regional Hospital and Providence Alaska Medical Center.