The Record Special Sections Health Quarterly 10-27-2019 | Page 6

6 ❚ SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2019 ❚ THE RECORD
HEALTH QUARTERLY / ADVERTISING SECTION
Making
Progress in
Gynecologic
Cancer Care
I
PHOTO COURTESY OF HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Betty Torricelli Institute for Breast Cancer at Hackensack Meridian Health
Hackensack University Medical Center, hosted a kick-off event on October 1 with breast cancer specialists focused on
prevention and screening.
Advances in Breast Cancer Care
B
reast cancer care is continually
evolving with the development
of new technology, medications,
treatment protocols, and care-
delivery models. Here are some exam-
ples of recent innovations in breast
cancer care at Hackensack University
Medical Center:
3D MAMMOGRAMS
Three-dimensional (3D) mammogra-
phy, also called breast tomosynthesis,
is the most up-to-date breast imaging
technology available. This highly accu-
rate type of mammogram combines
multiple breast x-rays taken from dif-
ferent angles to create clear, detailed
pictures of breast tissue.
According to Leslie L. Montgomery,
M.D., breast surgeon a Hackensack
University Medical Center, when com-
pared to traditional 2D mammography,
3D mammography improves breast
cancer detection rates while decreas-
ing the number of false-positive mam-
mogram results.
“Every woman should follow their
doctor’s recommendations for routine
breast cancer screening,” said Dr.
Montgomery. “And, every woman de-
serves to have that screening using the
latest 3D tomosynthesis technology.”
SAME-DAY RADIOTHERAPY
Women who have had breast tumors
removed during a lumpectomy pro-
cedure used to need 3-4 weeks of
radiation therapy following surgery.
Now, thanks to an innovative, catheter-
based procedure
called partial
breast radiother-
apy, women have
access to same-
day radiation
treatment using a
catheter placed in
the lumpectomy
cavity to allow for
a targeted radio-
Dr. Leslie L.
therapy treatment
Montgomery
as a single dose
on the day of lumpectomy surgery.
“This treatment eliminates the skin-
related side effects that can occur
after multiple radiation treatments
— and makes radiation therapy much
more convenient for our patients,” said
Dr. Montgomery.
IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR
ADVANCED BREAST CANCER
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-sav-
ing treatment options, particularly for
advanced, difficult-to-treat conditions
such as triple-negative breast cancer.
Using sophisticated tumor test-
ing, Hackensack University Medical
Center’s breast oncologists are now
able to identify specific characteristics
in breast tumors and deliver custom-
ized immunotherapy treatments based
on each patient’s unique tumor profile.
BREAST CANCER CLINICAL
TRIALS
The Hackensack Meridian Health
John Theurer Cancer Center is one of
only 16 cancer center consortia in the
U.S. that is approved by the National
Cancer Institute (NCI), which provides
patients with access to large national
and international clinical trials.
“We are participating in a number
of clinical trials that are looking at
new ways to treat curable, early-stage
breast cancer, prevent recurrence,
and treat residual cancer cells that
remain after surgery,” said Deena Mary
Atieh Graham, M.D., a hematologist
and medical oncologist at Hackensack
University Medical Center.
SUPPORTIVE BREAST
CANCER CARE
In addition to providing the latest
breast care using the most advanced
therapies, the breast cancer special-
ists at Hackensack University Medical
Center have learned that a strong sup-
port system during and after treatment
can have a significant positive impact
on patient outcomes and quality of life.
“Our patients also have access to a
full range of supportive services during
treatment, as well as comprehensive
survivorship services such as support
groups, fitness programs, and nutri-
tional counseling,” said Dr. Graham.
“Our relationship with our patients
doesn’t stop after treatment; it extends
well into survivorship.”
n recent years, researchers and clinical healthcare
providers have found new ways to prevent, treat
and manage all types of gynecologic cancers — lead-
ing to lower incidences of disease, reduced mortal-
ity rates, and improved quality of life during and after
treatment. Here are just a few examples of significant
advances in the treatment of gynecologic cancers:
GENETIC TESTING
Genetic testing looks for abnor-
mal changes in genes called muta-
tions that may be linked to a higher
risk of developing cancer. Due to
the development of more exten-
sive, less expensive genetic testing
panels, healthcare providers are
now able to look for a wider variety
of mutations that can help them provide personalized
screening and preventive care recommendations based
on the unique cancer risk profile of each patent.
If genetic testing reveals that a woman is at
increased risk of developing gynecologic or breast can-
cer, her healthcare providers may recommend addi-
tional preventive care, such as more-frequent cancer
screenings, treatment with preventive medications, or
preventive surgery to remove her breasts or reproduc-
tive organs.
“Genetic testing now allows us to better understand
each patient’s level of risk and provide life-saving screen-
ings and interventions that can often prevent a cancer
diagnosis,” said Mira Hellmann, MD, gynecological oncol-
ogist with Hackensack University Medical Center.
GENOMIC TUMOR TESTING
Women who are diagnosed with gynecologic cancers
now have access to specialized tumor testing that can
identify genetic mutations that may be driving tumor
growth and behavior. This advanced testing provides
results that allow gynecologic oncologists to deliver per-
sonalized, precisely targeted, and effective treatments.
Genomic tumor testing can also help to predict the
risk of tumor recurrence. If a patient is at high risk of
a recurrence, her gynecologic oncologist may recom-
mend additional treatment after surgery or long-term
therapy with medications.
TARGETED THERAPY
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors
are a type of targeted therapy that prevents PARP
enzymes from repairing damaged DNA in certain can-
cer cells, which causes the cancer cells to die. Three
PARP inhibitor drugs have been approved to treat
BRCA-associated ovarian cancer.
“When PARP inhibitors are used in BRCA-associated
ovarian cancer treatment, we are seeing improved pro-
gression-free survival rates for patients across the board
— which is a major breakthrough in ovarian cancer care,”
said Donna McNamara, MD, hematologist and medical
oncologist at Hackensack University Medical Center.