Treatment
Breast Cancer
NewYork-Presbyterian approaches breast cancer head-on, using the most precise imaging tools to locate breast cancer cells. NewYork-Presbyterian's cancer care facilities are equipped with digital and 3D mammography, breast ultrasound, MRI for breasts, and the latest procedure in nuclear medicine used to find lesions and guide surgery.
At NewYork-Presbyterian, we supply the most sophisticated technology and comprehensive diagnostic treatments for breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Surgery
SurgeryA common fear for many when facing breast cancer surgery is appearance after the procedure. For each surgical option, we take your comfort and any worries you may have into consideration.
- Cosmetic sensitive surgery -This method of breast conservation surgery is called oncoplastic surgery. Skilled surgeons precisely perform a lumpectomy, removing the least number of nodes necessary to prevent the spread of cancer. If your surgeon suggests a mastectomy, it may be possible to preserve the skin and nipple.
- Breast reconstruction during or after a mastectomy - NewYork-Presbyterian offers the most advanced breast reconstruction procedures, which can be performed during your cancer surgery or later.
- Your surgeon will advise you whether your reconstructive breast surgery can include using fat tissue from another body part
- A skin-sparing mastectomy removes the entire breast but maintains the skin that covers the breast. A teardrop-shaped incision is made around the areola to perform this type of surgery.
- Our top-rated oncoplastic surgeons perform breast implant surgery with stunning results
- Lymph node surgery is performed to determine if the cancer has spread to that area. Lymph node surgery may include:
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) - The surgeon first identifies which nodes have the highest likelihood of involvement. Then the surgeon removes one or two nodes (possibly more)—if cancer is only found within those, you may not need additional lymph nodes removed.
- Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) - If enough cancer cells are discovered in the sentinel lymph nodes, the surgeon will remove most lymph nodes in the armpit area (axillary nodes)
Those diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ in its very early stages may not need lymph node surgery. You might also have lymph node surgery during a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery.
Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
ChemotherapyChemotherapy for breast cancer targets fast-growing cancer cells and kills them. Chemotherapy is often administered through an IV (put into a vein), or it can sometimes be taken in pill form orally as part of breast cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy is a potent, effective breast cancer treatment; unfortunately, some side effects might occur while the treatment is going on. Our clinical team of breast specialists has expertise in managing chemotherapy's side effects. Most of these side effects, including nausea and vomiting, will disappear once the treatments have ended. Some symptoms can persist even after treatment has ended. NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia experts are actively researching ways to improve cancer survivorship and reduce cancer treatment's long-term side effects.
Some NewYork-Presbyterian cancer centers use a treatment called MammoSite® Radiation Therapy System—this therapy considerably reduces breast cancer treatment time and uses therapeutic radiation with profound exactness.
Another specialized approach used at NewYork-Presbyterian is "scalp cooling." This scalp cooling procedure could reduce hair loss during chemotherapy by cooling the scalp and hair follicles. These cold temperatures may limit chemotherapy delivery to the hair follicle, thus reducing the negative effects of chemo-induced hair loss.
Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
Hormone TherapyBreast cancer tumors are sometimes driven by the hormones estrogen or progesterone. Hormone therapies, sometimes called endocrine therapies, prevent the recurrence of new breast cancers from forming in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. These may include tamoxifen, exemestane, letrozole, or anastrozole. These medications are taken at home orally (by mouth) under the direction of your oncologist.
HER-2 targeted therapies significantly improve outcomes in HER-2-positive patients with early and metastatic breast cancer. There are currently three HER-2 targeted therapies: trastuzumab (Herceptin), lapatinib (Tykerb), and pertuzumab (Perjeta). These agents are available for treating HER-2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
Sometimes hormone therapies used to treat advanced breast cancer require injections which are administered at your doctor's office.
Immunotherapy for Breast cancer
ImmunotherapyNewYork-Presbyterian is a world-renowned leader in treating breast cancer with immunotherapy, which uses the immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. For some patients with triple-negative breast cancer, we use the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab,along with chemotherapy, at our infusion centers.
NewYork-Presbyterian prides itself on being a leader in clinical trial programs. Breast cancer clinical trials often evaluate the latest immunotherapies and targeted therapies. Clinical trials help us discover and consider new ways of combining immunotherapy and other cancer treatments to improve the efficacy of breast cancer treatment.
Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer
Radiation TherapyOur surgeons will carefully determine whether you are a candidate for radiation therapy. Our goal is to provide the most effective treatment for your breast cancer while minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure. Radiation therapies for breast cancer include:
- Precision external-beam radiation therapy - This therapy uses three-dimensional radiation beams to target the tumor while avoiding healthy surrounding tissue
- Hypofractionated radiation therapy - Higher doses of radiation are administered over a shorter period as with conventional methods. This breast cancer treatment is considered convenient and safe.
- Prone radiation therapy for breast cancer - Our team of experts has developed a remarkable radiation treatment designed to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure to the heart, lungs, and other organs. The healthy tissue is spared while the breast cancer cells are radiated. The patient lies face down on a table while radiation is directed only at the affected breast—the rest of the body remains protected.
Internal Radiation Therapy -This therapy is also called brachytherapy. Radiation therapy is delivered directly within your breast after removing the tumor. The goal is to reduce radiotherapy and protect your healthy tissue. In some cases, a therapy called intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) delivers all the radiation treatment in one dose immediately following a lumpectomy. NewYork-Presbyterian was the first hospital in the metropolitan New York area to provide this treatment. Your doctor will let you know if this therapy is right for you.
Featured Stories
Medical Marvels: New Scalp Cooling System Prevents Hair Loss from Chemotherapy
This edition of Medical Marvels focuses on DigniCap, a scalp cooling system designed to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy
Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Breast Cancer Treatment
The oncology specialists at NewYork-Presbyterian treat all types of breast cancer. NewYork-Presbyterian offers the most advanced treatments for breast cancer at our cancer care centers located conveniently throughout the New York metropolitan area. Call to schedule an appointment with one of our leading cancer care specialists.