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Dr. Caroline H. Coombs-Skiles, MD, FACS

(Dr. Caroline Hellin Coombs-Skiles, MD)

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Specializes in: General Surgery and Surgical Oncology (Cancer Surgery)
University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine
Professional interests include: nipple-sparing mastectomy, excision, abscess drainage, and more.
901 W. 38th Street Suite 300
Austin, TX 78705

Dr. Caroline H. Coombs-Skiles, MD, FACS is a general surgeon in Austin, TX specializing in general surgery and surgical oncology (cancer surgery). She graduated from University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine. Dr. Caroline H. Coombs-Skiles, MD, FACS is affiliated with The University of Texas (UT) System, St. David's HealthCare, Dell Seton Medical Center, Texas Oncology, Ascension, Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin, St. David's South Austin Medical Center St. David's Medical Center and Ascension Seton Northwest.

View Doctor's Full Profile (512) 421-4111

Office Locations

Address:

1015 East 32nd Street #306
Austin, TX 78705

Address:

901 W. 38th Street Suite 300
Austin, TX 78705

Some issues Dr. Caroline H. Coombs-Skiles, MD, FACS can help you with:

Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure performed to remove a small sample of cells for testing. The cells are examined in a laboratory to check for disease, or sometimes to see how badly a known disease is affecting them. Biopsy can be performed on any part of the body.

Although biopsy is most often associated with cancer, it can also be used to check for other diseases, such as infections. A biopsy sample can be scraped, cut, collected with a needle, taken with a machine that punches out a tiny piece, or removed with the tiny tools in an endoscope.

In most cases, a biopsy is a simple outpatient procedure. Depending on the procedure, patients may need to stop taking certain medications beforehand, such as blood thinners. It is important for patients to tell doctors if they are pregnant, as certain biopsies require the use of x-rays to guide the needle to the right location. There is usually very little pain associated with a biopsy. Patients will have to wait a few days to hear the results.

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)

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Caroline H. Coombs-Skiles, MD, FACS for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Caroline H. Coombs-Skiles, MD, FACS treated as a general surgeon in Austin, TX were breast procedures, ultrasound (sonogram), women's imaging and lymph node procedures.

breast procedures 57
cancer surgery 24
catheterization 16
diagnostic procedures 23
dissection 11
doctor visit 196
excision 38
lymph node procedures 43
open surgery 23
ultrasound (sonogram) 43
women's imaging 43

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Caroline H. Coombs-Skiles, MD, FACS.

Gender
Female 40
Male 0
Ethnicity
Black / African American
Asian / Pacific Islander
Non-Hispanic White 95
Native American / Alaskan Native
Hispanic 6
Other
Age
85 and over
75 to 84 19
Less than 65
65 to 74 73

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Caroline H. Coombs-Skiles, MD, FACS From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Caroline H. Coombs-Skiles, MD, FACS treated were cancer, hypertension, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension 46
High Cholesterol 41
Stroke
Ischemic Heart Disease 18
Depression 16
Chronic Kidney Disease 7
Asthma 5
Osteoporosis 6
Heart Failure 5
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 1
Diabetes 16
Atrial Fibrillation 3
Cancer 54
Dementia 2

Education & Training

Dr. Caroline H. Coombs-Skiles, MD, FACS graduated from University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine. She completed residency at Baylor University Medical Center. She is certified by the The American Board of Surgery - Surgery and has a state license in Texas.

Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine

Residency: Baylor University Medical Center

Board Certification: The American Board of Surgery - Surgery

Licensed In: Texas

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Caroline H. Coombs-Skiles, MD, FACS is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

The University of Texas (UT) System
St. David's HealthCare
Dell Seton Medical Center
Texas Oncology
Ascension
Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin
St. David's South Austin Medical Center St. David's Medical Center
Ascension Seton Northwest

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Caroline H. Coombs-Skiles, MD, FACS. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation $137 TASIGNA
$78 		Exjade
$31 		AFINITOR
$18 		PROMACTA
$11
Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc. $110
$110
Cianna Medical Inc $104 SAVI/SAVI SCOUT
$104
Janssen Biotech, Inc. $89 IMBRUVICA
$49 		DARZALEX
$41
Stryker Corporation $74 SPY-PHI SYSTEM
$74
Other $418 Lupron
$44 		Vectibix
$39 		VELCADE
$30 		XGEVA
$29 		NINLARO
$28 		Other
$247
Types of Payments
Food and Beverage $933

Biography

Dr. Caroline Coombs-Skiles is a specialist in general surgery and surgical oncology (cancer surgery) in Austin, TX. She attended medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine. For her residency, Dr. Coombs-Skiles trained at Baylor University Medical Center. Her clinical interests include quadrantectomy, cyst aspiration, and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Dr. Coombs-Skiles's professional affiliations include Dell Seton Medical Center, Texas Oncology, and St. David's HealthCare.

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