■ Cancer Update
Continued From Page 24 Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey By Bruce Haffty , M . D ., MS , Chair , Radiation Oncology and Associate Vice Chancellor for Cancer Programs
A patient in her late 30s and in the early months of her first pregnancy was facing a second breast cancer diagnosis in 2016 . In 2011 she presented with a lesion near her armpit that spread to her lymph nodes . She was deemed cancer free after receiving chemotherapy , radiation and breast reconstruction . She received post-operative radiation at Saint Barnabas Medical Center ( SBMC ), an RWJBarnabas Health facility . Five years later she had a recurrence in the axilla , which was in the region previously radiated . Because of her complex medical history and pregnancy , she was referred to Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey . After a resection and chemotherapy , she gave birth to a healthy baby boy . Since she received radiation previously , we worked with SBMC and our team at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital ’ s Laurie Proton Therapy Center — one of only two such centers in the state — to come up with an approach . We decided on proton therapy , a radiation treatment modality that is being used with great success to treat many cancer patients , including those with recurrent breast cancer . She received treatment to the impacted area while radiation was spared to the surrounding tissue previously irradiated . This patient is now cancer free and enjoying a healthy life .
Saint Peter ’ s University Hospital By Susan A . McManus , M . D ., FACS , Director , Saint Peter ’ s Breast Center
Becoming a breast cancer survivor is difficult in the best of times , but it became even more frightening and challenging during the COVID‐19 pandemic since most physicians ’ offices were closed and hospital operating rooms were limited to urgent and emergency surgery . We treated a woman in her 40s who presented with suspicious masses in both breasts and went on to have biopsies in the Mammography Department at Saint Peter ’ s Women ’ s Imaging Center . After our multidisciplinary team discussed the best course of treatment for her at our weekly breast conference via Zoom , she went on to have surgery , chemotherapy and radiation . Today , as the pandemic continues , she is doing well . Now that is a survivor !
St . Joseph ’ s Health , Wayne Medical Center By Stephan Dorkhom , D . O ., Chief of Medicine , Hematology / Oncology
As a nurse , Kathleen Lane , now age 61 , knew she couldn ’ t ignore a visible abnormality on her left breast in 2017 . With no family history of breast cancer , and having been diligent about annual mammograms , Kathy was shocked when she learned the diagnosis : stage four breast cancer . Having served
as a nurse at St . Joseph ’ s Health for six years , she knew that ’ s where she wanted to remain for treatment . At St . Joseph ’ s Health , our goal is to provide our patients with world-class treatment close to home while maintaining the best quality of life ; this is both an art and a science I pride myself in . All of our patients are treated like family . In Kathy ’ s case , she already was family . After the initial shock , Kathy began accepting her new normal . She conducted research , asked questions and followed all protocols outlined by me and the St . Joseph ’ s team . Kathy ’ s prognosis has significantly improved , and she continues to work throughout her treatment . “ I ’ m blessed by the layers of support around me ,” she says . “ And I ’ m grateful for every day .”
Trinitas Regional Medical Center By Clarissa Henson , M . D ., Chair of Radiation Oncology
Digna M . had a routine mammogram in November 2019 and was diagnosed with an early Stage 0 Breast after undergoing a stereotactic breast biopsy in December . She met first with Dr . Adriana Suarez-Ligon , Breast Surgical Oncologist at Trinitas , for breast-conserving radiation and a partial mastectomy / lumpectomy . Then she met with me , post-operatively about radiation treatment — either whole breast radiation standard fractionation for six weeks , hypo-fractionated for four weeks , or partial breast radiation ( AccuBoost ). Digna chose AccuBoost . When the pandemic hit in April , we visited her via Telehealth to talk about the risks and benefits of delaying radiation for a few weeks . She has diabetes , and we thought it safest for her to stay home until the rates of COVID‐19 in the Elizabeth community subsided . She returned for partial radiation for 10 days and did extremely well . With our safety protocols , temperature checks , PPE and screenings for all patients and staff , we all felt safe delivering her care .
Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care By Eleonora Teplinsky , M . D ., Head , Breast Medical Oncology
More than two million women are breast cancer survivors .
Getty Images / iStockphoto
As an oncologist at Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care , I have the privilege of taking care of people when they are most vulnerable . Last year , I met with a 39-year-old woman who was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer , which is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype . She was a mom of two young children and struggled to keep working and taking care of her children while also receiving chemotherapy . She suffered from fatigue , joint aches and pains , neuropathy , and “ chemo brain ” both
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