Dr. Michael Sabel
Surgical Oncology
Ann Arbor, MI
30 years experience male
Locations
Office
Ann Arbor, MI
Phone
About
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Surgical Oncology
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
63 Answers
22 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 60-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Spray tan: If you really feel the need for a tan, use a spray tan and don't skimp on protecting your skin from UV radiation. If you have light skin, you likely ... Read More
4.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Yes: I'm not exactly sure what you are asking, but it is important to note that mammography is not perfect and it can miss cancer, especially when the brea... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Risk can be reduced: for patients at very high risk (very strong family history or known genetic mutation), bilateral prophylactic mastectomies are an option. Taking Tamox... Read More
2.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
No: The risk factors for dcis are the same as breast cancer; age, family history, estrogen exposure, etc. There is no evidence that stress increases that... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
A surgical procedure: This is a surgical procedure to identify the first node that receives drainage from the site of the cancer, and is thus the node most likely to have c... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Two issues: Sunblock won't change the risk of a treated melanoma from recurring (coming back), but it will reduce the risk of future skin cancers, which any melan... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Probably not: Merkel cell is much more common as one gets older, at 34 this would be unlikely. It could be another form of skin cancer, however. Any non-healing les... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Yes: Sentinel node biopsy can be done prior to breast surgery for a variety if reasons, such as before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (to stage patients). Befor... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
See a doctor: These may be benign (fibroadenomas), but a new mass in the breast can be breast cancer. Enlarged lymph nodes, fatigue and weight loss can be signs of ... Read More
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Lymphedema: After removing lymph nodes from the axilla (armpit) or groin for melanoma, the biggest risk is lymphedema or swelling of the extremity. This is more c... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Don't find out: It is impossible to answer this question without knowing more, particularly what stage the cancer is at. But don't find out. Even triple negative canc... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Needs follow-up: While a lump may be benign (a cyst, a fibroadenoma), cancer needs to be ruled out. Breast cancer most often presents as a painless lump in the breast.... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Yes, but...: There are different types of breast cancer, including invasive cancer and in situ cancer. Sometimes a biopsy shows "atypical" cells, which aren't canc... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Yes: While recommendations vary, many doctors recommend beginning screenings 10 years younger than the youngest family member who had breast cancer. So if ... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Avoid sunburns: Skin cancer (basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma) are related to sun exposure and sunburns. Use protection (hats, clothing, shade and sunblock that... Read More
4.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Not necessarily : Just because it doesn't grow in diameter doesn't mean it can't be a nodular melanoma. As stated, these can grow vertically and not radially. If you s... Read More
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Be aware: Family history is important, and having a 1st degree relative increases your risk. You should be doing self breast exams and seeing a doctor at least ... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Not required but: It is an option. It can help reduce the chance of the dcis coming back, as well as the risk of a new, second cancer in the future. But these risks are... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Usually: Inguinal hernias, if not fixed, can sometimes lead to more serious complications. While non-surgical therapies have been used, more recent data sugge... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
No: Skin cancer risk is increased by both intensity (burns) and cumulative exposure. Protect yourself not just by not burning, but by minimizing your sun... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Long process: While not all dcis will become invasive cancer, many cases will and to date we can not differentiate between those that will and those that won't. Th... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Adjuvant treatment: For melanoma that has spread to the nodes, adjuvant therapy (such as interferon) can be considered. You should discuss with an oncologist.
Was a node... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Big difference: A lipoma is a benign fatty tumor that typically requires no treatment. They are very common and occur all over the body. A phyllodes tumor of the b... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Depends: There are different types of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma can be treated with different approaches, some non-surgical. Squamous cell carcinoma us... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Careful with MRI: Mri has a high sensitivity but low specificity and often finds many benign lesions. That increases worry and leads to more tests and biopsies, but rar... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Physical exam: Physical exam, both self exams and by a doctor, are the best ways to look for recurrence after mastectomy. For women who had reconstruction with a tra... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Sort of: Cytology is not a great test to rule out cancer in the case of nipple discharge. Ultrasound is a good test but also doesn't rule out cancer. However b... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Yes: It could be melanoma or another form of skin cancer. Early diagnosis is essential to successful treatment so please have this examined by a dermatolog... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Diet & exercise: In addition to screening, breast cancer risk is decreased by eating a healthy diet, low in saturated fats, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting r... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Probably not.: Most of the time this is dermatologic. There is a type of breast cancer known as paget's disease of the nipple that can present as an excoriated lesio... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Hmmm: It would be unlikely that cervical cancer would metastasize to the breast. While rare, metastasis to the breast have slightly different characteristic... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
They can: About 15% of breast cancers won't show on a mammogram, so if you have a lump, a negative mammogram doesn't completely rule out cancer. Ultrasound can ... Read More
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 73-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
No, but it: Should be ruled out, so the mammogram and ultrasound is a good idea. Bilateral breast pain or tenderness in a 73 year old male is likely gynecomastia.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Fibrocystic Disease: There are many causes of breast pain. Cancer is unlikely but a breast exam and mammogram are recommended, particularly if you have a family history. T... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Not cancer: It would be highly unlikely to be breast cancer, but it could be gynecomastia, where breast tissue develops in men. It could be related to meds or oth... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Unlikely but...: The fact that it hasn't changed in 4 years is reassuring but the irregular borders and color variation raise a red flag. It is worth having your pcp o... Read More
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Perhaps : It could be an abscess in the breast although you would likely still have fever. But any mass in the breast could be cancer. Not necessarily inflammat... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
When outdoors: The uv radiation is strongest from about 10am to 4pm so he should have protection if he is going to be outside playing. I'm not sure how you define "p... Read More
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Possibly: It is difficult to say without more information. These could be a reaction or a side effect of treatment, but breast cancer can recur as skin lesions ... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Diagnostic mammogram: When a screening mammogram shows an abnormality, the next step is a diagnostic mammogram where they will focus on the abnormality with compression and... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
A surgical procedure: This is a surgical procedure to identify the first node that receives drainage from the site of the cancer, and is thus the node most likely to have c... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Typically no symptom: Most breast cancer presents as a painless lump in the breast. Pain is more likely benign but persistent or focal pain should be worked up, including a... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Limited options: Ask yourself why these are not options, and discuss with a surgical oncologist. Patients do very well after an axillary dissection and return to norma... Read More
4.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Could be lymphedema: Is this the arm on the side of the surgery and radiation? Were the lymph nodes removed? Swelling of the arm (lymphedema) can occur years after treatme... Read More
4.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old female asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Needs work up: Nipple discharge is very common and most nipple discharge is not due to cancer. However, when there is blood in the discharge, it should be worked up ... Read More
4.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
May need biopsy.: Calcifications won't turn into anything, but rather are a sign that something is going on in that area. There are different types of calcifications an... Read More
2.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Unlikely: This would be an unlikely presentation for breast cancer, particularly at your age. It is most likely just a pimple, an infected cyst, or possibly a ... Read More
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
You will need: A hand held mirror, wall mirror, a good light, a chair and footstool and a hair dryer (for the scalp). Look for any lesions that meet the abcd's (aty... Read More
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
No: Fibroadenomas are benign and do not turn into cancer so you do not need them removed. Some will enlarge and they can cause pain, and some women simply... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Michael Sabelanswered
Surgical Oncology 30 years experience
Yes: The risk factors for dcis are the same as for invasive breast cancer, including family history. So if you have a family history if any type of breast ... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
84
Thank you notes
Apr 8, 2014
Dr. Sabel is a respected, careful, and thoughtful surgeon who takes care of each patient like he would a family member.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Sabel is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Sabel is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you for the detailed answer. It is very helpful !
HealthTap member
I got it done & found out that I will need them sonogramed from now on
HealthTap member
I have no insurance will you take payments . Would be so thankful
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Temple University School of Medicine, PA
Graduated 1992MD
Residency
RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
Awards
2011 - 2012 US News & World Report Top Doctors List
Thought Leader, Second Place, Ann Arbor Region, MI - Summer
2013
Top General Surgeon , First Place, Michigan - Summer
2013
Affiliations
Society of Surgical Oncology
American College of Surgeons
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Publications
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
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