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Austin D. Williams, MD, MSED, FACS
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology
Associate Program Director, Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship
Specialties
- Breast Surgical Oncology
Areas of Expertise
Breast Cancer
Treatment Focus
- Breast cancer surgery including:
- Breast conservation
- Skin-sparing mastectomy
- Nipple-sparing mastectomy
- Aesthetic flat closure after mastectomy
- High-risk patients and risk-reducing surgery
- Male breast cancer
- LGBTQ+ health
- Breast cancer clinical trials
Distinctions
Treatment Philosophy
I count it as a privilege to be able to devote my surgical practice exclusively to the care of patients with breast cancer, collaborating with the remarkable multidisciplinary team at Fox Chase Cancer Center to provide world-class breast cancer care.
A diagnosis of breast cancer can be incredibly frightening, but from the very first consultation, I make it a priority to show patients that there is a path forward, and that the advances in care for breast cancer may make their journey through treatment and into survivorship easier than they are anticipating. As a former high school teacher, I also view every patient encounter as an opportunity to educate. I consider it to be my responsibility that patients and their loved ones understand their diagnosis and each of their treatment options, spending as much time as necessary to ensure they are equipped to make decisions that are right for them.
I also approach the treatment of breast cancer as a researcher, constantly evaluating whether we can improve aspects of our treatment strategies. Whether it is attempting to understand and dismantle barriers to patient access to high quality care, studying whether we can de-escalate the amount of surgery we perform, or probing the inner workings of a patient’s specific tumor cells, I am committed to delivering the most innovative and cutting-edge breast cancer care to each of my patients.
Clinical Locations
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Fox Chase Cancer Center333 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111
Phone: 888-369-2427
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Fox Chase Cancer Center - Chestnut Hill8835 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
Phone: 888-369-2427
Educational Background
- Fellow, Breast Surgical Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 2021-2022
- Resident, General Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, PA, 2014-2021
- Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 2016-2018
- MD, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 2009-2013
- Master's in Education, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 2007-2009
- BA, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, 2003-2007
Certifications
- American Board of Surgery - Surgery
Memberships
- Society of Surgical Oncology
- Member, Fellows-Young Attendings Subcommittee, 2021-present
- Annals of Surgical Oncology Social Media Committee, 2022-present
- American Society of Breast Surgeons
- Member, Breast Fellows Working Group, 2021-present
- American Society of Clinical Oncology
- American College of Surgeons
- Associate Fellow and Resident Representative, Metropolitan Philadelphia Chapter, 2022-present
- Association of Academic Surgery
- Association for Surgical Education
- Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
- Pennsylvania Medical Society
- Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance
- Member, Medical and Scientific Advisory Council, 2022-present
Honors & Awards
- Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctors, 2023-2024
- Emerging Leader Award, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2023
- Kroll Family Fellowship, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2021-2022
- Administrative Chief Resident, Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, 2020-2021
- Outstanding Scientific Presentation Award, American Society of Breast Surgeons, 2018
- Owen H. Wangasteen Excellence in Research Award, American College of Surgeons, 2017
- Surgical Education Research Fellowship, Association for Surgical Education, 2017
- Anna Elizabeth Fleer Surgery Research Award, Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, 2015, 2016, 2018
- Excellence in Medical Student Teaching Award, Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, 2015
- G.C. Engel Intern of the Year Award, Department of Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, 2015
- Dean’s Award in Medical Humanities, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2013
- Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished High School Educators, School District of Philadelphia, 2008
- Michelle Kayal Memorial Scholarship Research Award, Franklin & Marshall College, 2007
Research Interests
- Breast cancer clinical trials
- Surgical management after neoadjuvant therapy
- Reducing breast cancer disparities
- High-risk patients
- Male breast cancer
- LGBTQ+ health
- Surgical education
Selected Publications
Williams, A.D., Khan, A.J., Sevilimedu, V., Barrio, A.V., Morrow, M., Mamtani, A. Omission of Intraoperative Frozen Section May Reduce Axillary Overtreatment Among Clinically Node-Negative Patients Having Upfront Mastectomy. Ann Surg Onc. ePub Aug 2022.
Williams, A.D., Dang, C.T., Sevilimedu, V., Morrow, M., Barrio, A.V. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer in the elderly: are we accomplishing our treatment goals? Ann Surg Onc. ePub Jul 2022.
Williams, A.D., Ciocca, R.M., Sabol, J.L., Carp, N.Z. The use of neoadjuvant therapy increases the rate of breast conservation in men with locally advanced breast cancer. Clinical Breast Cancer. Jun 2022. 22(4):343-358.
Williams, A.D., Chang, C., Wang, C., Sigurdson, E.R., Aggon, A.A., Porpiglia, A., Hill, M.V., Bleicher, R.J. Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy and delays in surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ: implications for the coronavirus pandemic. Ann Surg Onc. Mar 2022. 29(3):1683–1691.
Williams, A.D., Buckley, M., Ciocca, R.M., Sabol, J.L., Larson, S.L., Carp, N.Z. Racial and Economic Disparities in Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Pennsylvania. Breast Cancer Res Treat. Feb 2022. 192:191–200.
Williams, A.D., Ciocca, R.M., Sabol, J.L., Carp, N.Z. Institutions treating breast cancer patients of a low socioeconomic status achieve multidisciplinary quality standards at lower rates. Ann Surg Onc. Oct 2021. 28(10):5635-5647.
Williams, A.D., McGreevy, C., Tchou, J., De La Cruz, L. Utility of Oncotype DX in Male Breast Cancer Patients and Impact on Chemotherapy Administration- A Comparative Study with Female Patients. Ann Surg Onc. Oct 2020. 27(10):3605-3611.
Williams, A.D., Bleicher, R., Ciocca, R. Breast cancer risk, screening and prevalence among sexual minority women: an analysis of the National Health Interview Survey. LGBT Health. Feb/Mar 2020. 7(2):109-118.
Williams, A.D., Arlow, R., Reyes, S., Tchou, J., De La Cruz, L. Is Age Trumping Genetic Profiling in Clinical Practice? Relationship of Chemotherapy Recommendation and Oncotype DX Recurrence Score in Patients <50 versus ≥50 and Trends Over Time. Ann Surg Onc. Oct 2018. 25(10):2875-2883.
Williams, A.D., So A., Synnestvedt M., Tewksbury C.M., Kontos D., Hsieh M.K., Pantalone L., Conant E.F., Schnall M., Dumon K., Williams N., Tchou J. Mammographic breast density decreases after bariatric surgery. Breast Cancer Res Treat. Oct 2017. 165(3):565-572.
Patient comments
Doctor Williams & [...] are phenomenal. The questions put forth in this survey do not make sense as I had 2 appointments on this date. For example, "On this this date, did you talk to this provider about any health questions or concerns?" The entire appointment was established because of health concerns.
Dr Austin Williams is a caring and knowledgeable Doctor
I was getting a second opinion on my recent diagnosis and was already scheduled for surgery with another physician. I had no doubt that Dr. Williams Was knowledgeable about my type of cancer. He took time explaining all aspects of the surgery and possible steps after the surgery. I felt confident choosing him for my care.
Dr. Williams always makes me feel completely comfortable. He also always has a smile on his face.
When I first arrived at Fox Chase, I was feeling fearful, confused, and anxious about the findings on my routine mammogram. After a series of painful biopsies and marker implants in NJ, I was terrified and unsure about my next steps. The surgeons I had met with in NJ had overwhelmed me with aggressive recommendations, leaving me hesitant to schedule a surgical appointment. However, upon meeting Dr. Williams at Fox Chase, my perspective completely changed. His calm and reassuring demeanor immediately put me at ease. I trusted his knowledge, sincerity, and expertise without hesitation. From the seed implants before surgery to the actual procedure, Dr. Williams and his team made me feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire process. I recently underwent surgery in March 2023 and am now continuing my breast care and treatment exclusively at Fox Chase. I am forever grateful for Dr. Williams and the exceptional care I received. My experience has given me a new perspective on surgical oncology and the unparalleled expertise offered at Fox Chase.