Leading-Edge Treatment

If the presence of cancer is confirmed, patients will be told about all appropriate options to enable them, in consultation with their physicians, to make informed treatment decisions. These may include lumpectomy, mastectomy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy.

Surgical Oncology: Surgery plays a key role in the treatment of breast cancer either alone or with other therapies. Surgeons work closely with other cancer specialists to provide the most advanced care available. The range of surgical treatment options has expanded, in recent years, with a greater emphasis on breast preservation.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be used in addition to surgery and/or radiation therapy. The purpose of chemotherapy is to destroy any cancer cells that may have spread beyond the breast area. Because of a better understanding of the biology of breast cancer, the majority of patients are likely to be offered some form of chemotherapy as part of their treatment regimen.

Hormonal Therapy: Women who have positive estrogen receptors may be treated with antihormonal or hormonal therapy as part of their treatment plan. Each situation is evaluated individually by a physician specializing in cancer care.

Radiation Therapy: The Department of Radiation Oncology offers the expertise of experienced radiation oncologists and state-of-the-art technology. In most cases of early breast cancer, when a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy is performed, it is followed by radiation therapy.

Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Program: This program serves as an aggressive treatment option for patients with breast cancer not only in the metastatic setting, but also those with local disease with high risk features. Ongoing research in this area is very promising.