HEALTHCARE
3D Mammography Among Latest Innovations in Breast Cancer Care
Compiled by Diane C . Walsh Editor , COMMERCE
The March issue of COMMERCE Magazine is a tribute to women as part of the national celebration of Women ’ s History Month . Our feature stories highlight leading women entrepreneurs and executives . Our special issue would not be complete without an examination of the challenges women face , especially in their health . The state Department of Health reports that breast cancer is the second leading cause of death due to cancer among women in New Jersey . It claims more than 1,200 lives each year . We asked leading doctors and healthcare institutions to discuss the latest innovations in the detection and treatment of this dreaded disease .
Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center Roshani Patel , M . D ., FACS Medical Director , Breast Surgery
In the last decade there have been many advances in oncoplastic surgery , which entails the use of lumpectomy performed by the breast surgical oncologist and tissue rearrangement procedures performed by plastic surgeons , to either help maintain the contour of the breast or reshape it . For example , a patient may have a larger volume of cancer and a larger breast size . The surgeons work in combination to remove the cancer and perform a breast reduction or tissue rearrangement . This allows for better aesthetic outcome , reduces side effects from treatment , such as lymphedema of the breast , and can help reduce skin changes from radiation .
The lumpectomy and tissue rearrangement may be approached as a one-stage procedure where the lumpectomy and reduction are done at the same time . The unaffected breast will undergo reduction as well . Careful collaboration between the breast radiologist , breast surgical oncologist , plastic surgeon and pathologist is needed to ensure that the cancer is removed with good margins and the specimens that are removed are marked carefully for analysis . In some cases , patients may have a staged procedure with a lumpectomy first . Once there is confirmation that margins are clear , the patient undergoes tissue rearrangement and then proceeds with additional treatment to reduce the risk of the cancer recurring . I have found in my own practice that patients have been very happy with the aesthetic outcome .
Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center , Breast and GYN Divisions Deena Mary Atieh Graham , MD
Breast cancer care is continually evolving with the development of new technology , medications , treatment protocols , and care-delivery models . Here are some examples of recent innovations in breast cancer care at Hackensack University Medical Center ’ s John Theurer Cancer Center .
◾ Three-dimensional ( 3D ) mammography , also called breast tomosynthesis , is the most up-to-date breast imaging technology available . This highly accurate type of mammogram combines multiple breast x-rays taken from different angles to create clear , detailed pictures of breast tissue .
◾ Women who have had breast tumors removed during a lumpectomy procedure typically need 3-4 weeks of radiation therapy following surgery . Now , thanks to an innovative , catheter-based procedure called partial breast radiotherapy , certain patients are eligible for a same-day radiation treatment using a catheter placed in the lumpectomy cavity to allow for a targeted radiotherapy treatment as a single dose on the day of lumpectomy surgery .
◾ Recent advances in immunotherapy – a type of treatment that stimulates the body ’ s immune system to identify and fight cancer cells – are providing medical oncologists with new , life-saving treatment options , particularly for an
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As with many cancers , early detection with self-examination and mamography provide a greater success rate in breast cancer .
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