The treatment of breast disease can involve several modalities, including surgery, medication, and radiation. Our experienced breast care providers work together to provide comprehensive care using the latest technologies and methods to treat all breast conditions, including breast cancer.

Breast cancer treatment is individualized, and each treatment plan is different. Our team reviews the surgical treatment options with patients, and helps direct the development of the entire care plan. When medications will be part of the plan, the Center for Breast Care will make arrangements for a consultation with a medical oncologist. Similarly, when radiation therapy is needed the Center for Breast Care will arrange for a radiation oncology consultation. The Saratoga Hospital Center for Breast Care provides the coordination and navigation needed for comprehensive care.

Clinical breast examination. While mammography is currently the best screening method for detecting breast cancer, 10 to 15 percent of breast cancers may not be detected by mammography alone. A breast examination includes a complete physical examination of both breasts and the surrounding lymph node areas.

Surgical or excisional breast biopsy is done when an image guided needle biopsy is either not technically feasible or not appropriate for a particular patient.

Breast Conserving Surgery for Breast Cancer

(Also known as partial mastectomy, lumpectomy or wide excision). With this surgical treatment approach the cancer is removed with a small rim of surrounding normal breast tissue (clean margins).

Read more about lumpectomies

Oncoplastic Breast Reconstruction

Done by a plastic surgeon to help reshape the breast tissue if breast conserving surgery for cancer will cause too significant an indentation in the breast.

Mastectomy

Surgery to remove the entire breast, including the nipple.

Breast Reconstruction

Done by a plastic surgeon, to re-create the shape and appearance of the breast after mastectomy. In most cases this can be done at the same time as the mastectomy (called immediate breast reconstruction).

A Skin Sparing Mastectomy

Done when a patient is having immediate breast reconstruction. This procedure removes the entire breast including the nipple, but most of the breast skin is preserved.

Nipple Sparing Mastectomy

Some patients who are having immediate breast reconstruction are candidates for nipple sparing mastectomy, where the breast tissue is removed while preserving all of the breast skin and the nipple.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

A surgical technique to determine if cancer has spread outside the breast to the lymph nodes.

Axillary Dissection

Surgery to remove the lymph nodes in the armpit area. This is done if cancer has been found in the lymph nodes.