Surgical oncology, with an emphasis on breast preservation, is one of Cancer HealthCare Associates’ (CHCA) areas of specialization. We offer the latest oncoplastic surgical procedures and advanced minimally invasive techniques for the diagnosis of breast diseases. We treat hundreds of patients every year, and we have earned a reputation for delivering consistently successful outcomes. Our goal is to protect our patients’ health and well-being while preserving the aesthetic appearance of their breasts.

In addition to breast cancer surgery, our Surgical Oncology services include:

• Sphincter preservation for rectal cancer
• Minimally invasive surgery for colon cancer
• Melanoma and other skin cancers
• Gastrointestinal malignancy
• Sarcoma and soft-tissue tumors
• Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors, thyroid and other head and neck cancers
  

 Breast Cancer Surgery

Surgical treatment of breast cancer has advanced significantly. Our multidisciplinary program for breast preservation, which includes partial breast radiation, combines the latest techniques. Our program is designed to enable patients with breast cancer to protect their health and conserve the aesthetic appearance of their breasts.
Early detection is critical because it provides us with a broader range of treatment options for our patients. Studies show those diagnosed at early stages of invasive breast cancer have similar outcomes when they are treated by lumpectomy and radiation therapy or modified radical mastectomy.
Those who need mastectomies usually prefer to have their breasts reconstructed during surgery. Our surgical team provides women with a complete range of options tailored to fit their individual preferences and needs.

Lumpectomy, or breast-sparing surgery, is a procedure in which we remove the cancer along with some of the normal tissue surrounding it. The amount we remove depends on the size of the tumor. Patients with larger tumors may take medications to reduce the size of their tumors and enable them to have breast-conserving surgery.

We also provide radiation therapy for patients with invasive cancers. We determine the amount of tissue to remove based on the size of the tumor. Women with larger tumors use medication to shrink the tumors and enable the surgical removal.

Mastectomy, also called simple or total mastectomy, refers to the complete removal of all breast tissue, including the nipple, with the exception of the chest-wall muscles. Most patients and physicians prefer lumpectomy with radiation therapy. Mastectomy is performed on patients who are not candidates for lumpectomy or who request mastectomies.

Candidates for Breast Cancer Surgery

Most patients with invasive breast cancer prefer to surgically remove the cancer as their first treatment. Most are candidates. Breast-conserving surgeries are as effective as mastectomies in curing early stage breast cancer.
Candidates includepatients with stage one or stage two breast cancer, with a tumor smaller than four cm (1.5 inches), and with negative surgical margins. Patients whose axillary lymph nodes have been removed must have fewer than three cancerous lymph nodes to be considered candidates. Also, there should be no other reason to treat their lymph nodes with radiation.

Choosing Between Lumpectomy and Mastectomy

Patients who choose lumpectomy and radiation therapy can expect the same chance of survival as those who choose mastectomy. The unique advantage of lumpectomies is that they preserve the aesthetic appearance of the breast. Some who undergo mastectomies will still require radiation therapy after surgery.

Is surgery right for you?

Most patients and their physicians prefer lumpectomy and radiation therapy. It’s important to note that, when first confronted with a cancer diagnosis, some patients react hastily by wanting to remove their breast as quickly as possible. They believe that just “taking it all out” is the best solution. However, doing so doesn’t increase their chance of long-term survival or guarantee a better quality of life after surgery. More than 20 years of research and studies have proved that mastectomy does not provide a better chance of survival than lumpectomy.
The bottom line: Get the facts to determine what’s best for you. Some factors to might consider:

• Can you devote the time and travel required for radiation therapy after your lumpectomy?
• How do you feel about losing your breast?
• Would you want to reconstruct your breast after having a mastectomy?

Breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy aren’t recommended in some cases, including:

• Previous breast or chest radiation
• Pregnancy
• Presence of breast cancer in several areas of the breast
• Widespread calcifications (areas with calcium in the breast)
• Tumor at the margin of the lumpectomy that cannot be treated with repeat breast-conserving surgery
• Active disease such as scleroderma or lupus
• Tumors that did not shrink with chemotherapy or hormonal therapy before surgery

Education is Key

The selection of a cancer-care is provider is important, and we encourage all our patients to conduct extensive research and inform themselves of all the treatment options. For this reason, our Web site provides an online Resources Center with information and links to the leading organizations and research sites. To visit our Resources Center, click here.
Many patients also benefit from learning about others’ personal experiences. To read some of our patients’ testimonials, click here.

For more information, call us today at 305.545.6685 or Toll-free at 1.877. 545.6685. You also may contact us via e-mail at info@cancerhealthcare.net.