Dr Esther Chuwa
Senior Consultant & Breast Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MRCS (Edin), M Med (Surgery), FRCSEd (Gen), FAMS
Languages: English, Mandarin, Hokkien, Teochew
MBBS (Singapore), MRCS (Edin), M Med (Surgery), FRCSEd (Gen), FAMS
Languages: English, Mandarin, Hokkien, Teochew
Dr Esther Chuwa is our senior consultant practicing at Solis. She has a special interest in the management and research of breast diseases and oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery.
Training and Qualifications
She obtained her medical degree from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and received her general surgical training at the Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre. Dr Chuwa was among the first in her cohort to complete her Advanced Surgical Training and was named top candidate by the Board of Examiners of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh in her qualifying examinations.
Management and Research of Breast Disease
Never settling, Dr Chuwa chose to devote her practise solely to the management and research of breast diseases by joining KK Breast Unit in 2006, which was the only stand-alone breast surgical unit in Singapore.
Trained in Breast Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Recognising the importance to balance oncologic control and cosmetic outcomes in the surgical treatment of breast cancers, Dr Chuwa embarked on an oncoplastic breast fellowship at the renowned Nottingham Breast Institute, United Kingdom, under the Human Manpower Development Plan Award in 2009. She has undertaken visiting stints and observerships at the breast and reconstruction units at various institutions including the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York City, USA, the Lyon Berard Cancer Center in Lyon, France, and Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Dr Chuwa ranks among the few local breast surgeons to have received formal training in oncoplastic breast surgery. She now offers this as one of the surgical options of breast cancer treatment. Her other specialisations include minimally invasive breast biopsy techniques and localisation and excision of non-palpable breast tumours.
Research Interests
A prolific researcher and author, Dr Chuwa has published widely in many local, regional and international journals. She has also authored a book chapter reviewing the outcomes of oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery and is involved in several multi-institutional research collaborations under the A*star and National Medical Council Research Grants.
International Recognition
Dr Chuwa is also a member of the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists, the International Society of Surgery/ Breast Surgery International as well as the American College of Breast Surgeons. She serves as a journal reviewer for international journals including Clinical Breast Cancer, International Surgery, World Journal of Surgical Oncology, and an ad-hoc reviewer for the Journal of Gynaecology and Minimally Invasive Therapy.
Read Articles By Dr Esther Chuwa
Medical Publications By Dr Esther Chuwa
Early experience with Magtrace lymphatic tracer for axillary staging in Singapore.
Chuwa E, Tang SW, Lee WP, Tan YY.
GBCC. 2025 Apr; Abstract ABS-0167.
Low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma of the breast masquerading as a fibroepithelial lesion on core biopsy: A challenging case.
Laokulrath N, Chuwa E, Gudi M, Tan PH.
Pathobiology. 2024; 91(6): 455-462.
DOI:10.1159/000540029. Epub 2024 Jul 17. PMID: 38952139.
Granulomatous mastitis and factors associated with recurrence: An 11-year single-centre study of 113 patients in Singapore.
Tan QT, Tay S, Gudi M, Nadkarni N, Lim SH, Chuwa E.
World J Surg. 2019; 43: 1732-1739.
DOI:10.1007/s00268-019-05014-x
Low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma of the breast: A diagnostic and clinical challenge.
Tan QT, Chuwa E, Chew S, Lim Tan SK.
Int J Surg. 2015; 19: 22-26.
DOI:10.1016/j.ijsu.2015.05.010
Schwannoma: An unexpected diagnosis from a breast lump.
Tan QT, Chuwa E, Chew SH, Hong GS.
J Surg Case Rep. 2014; 2014(7): rju085.
DOI:10.1093/jscr/rju085
Presentation and outcomes of breast cancer in Asian women under 40: Misdiagnosis or misfortune?
Chuwa E, Teo S, Lew YL, Ong C, Hong GS.
Eur J Cancer. 2012; 48(Suppl 1): S57-S58.
DOI:10.1016/S0959-8049(12)70126-0
Early detection of breast cancer through population-based mammographic screening in Asian women: A comparison study between screen-detected and symptomatic breast cancers.
Chuwa E, Yeo HA, Wong CY, Ho GH.
Breast J. 2009; 15(2): 133-139.
DOI:10.1111/j.1524-4741.2009.00687.x
MRSA breast abscesses in postpartum women.
Chuwa E, Wong CMY, Tan YY, Hong GS.
Asian J Surg. 2009; 32(1): 55-58.
DOI:10.1016/S1015-9584(09)60010-5
Accuracy of frozen section in sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer.
Eur J Cancer. 2008; 6(7 Suppl): 158.
Outcomes of stereotactic breast core biopsy (SBCB) of BIRADS category 4 microcalcifications.
Chuwa E, Teo SY, Tan YY, Hong GS.
Treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ in an Asian population: Outcome and prognostic factors.
Chuwa E, Tan VH, Tan PH, Yong WS, Ho GH, Wong CY.
ANZ J Surg. 2008; 78(1-2): 42-48.
DOI:10.1111/j.1445-2197.2007.04355.x
Unusual presentation of abdominal Castleman’s disease.
Chuwa E, Chuah KL, Ong HS.
Asian J Surg. 2006 Jul; 29(3): 153-156.
DOI:10.1016/S1015-9584(09)60147-2
Omentum as a cover for abdominal wall loss.
Chuwa E, Seow-Choen F.
Tech Coloproctol. 2006 Jul; 10(2): 139-142.
DOI:10.1007/s10151-006-0269-y
Gastrointestinal: Mesenteric cystic lymphangioma.
Chim H, Chuwa E, Chau YP, Chow PK.
J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006; 21(5): 916.
DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1746.2006.04276.x
Dietary fibre.
Chuwa E, Seow-Choen F.
Br J Surg. 2006 Jan; 93(1): 3-4.
DOI:10.1002/bjs.5229
Outcomes for abdominoperineal resections are not worse than those of anterior resections.
Chuwa E, Seow-Choen F.
Dis Colon Rectum. 2006 Jan; 49(1): 41-49.
DOI:10.1007/s10350-005-0221-7
Prognostic significance of peritoneal lavage cytology in gastric cancer in Singapore.
Chuwa E, Khin LW, Chan WH, Ong HS, Wong WK.
Gastric Cancer. 2005; 8(4): 228-237.
DOI:10.1007/s10120-005-0346-3
Unusual recurrence after chemoirradiation and surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
Chuwa E, Tan YM, Lim D.
Asian J Surg. 2002; 25(1): 62-65.
DOI:10.1016/S1015-9584(09)60122-8
