Breast Imaging

The one guarantee we all have with breast cancer is surgery. Beyond that, treatment is determined by your pathology, size of tumor and whether or not any lymph nodes or other metasis is involved. Some instances do require chemotherapy to be done before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy). There are MANY things that play in to what type of surgery/treatment you will require. This is an overview of available options. Your physicians will let you know if one or more of these is or is not an option for you.

Physician Types

• Surgeon - general surgeon or breast oncology surgeon will perform the appropriate breast surgery for you
• Plastic Surgeon - will perform reconstruction when needed
• Medical Oncologist - reviews pathology to determine further treatment or lack thereof. Administers chemotherapy and other drugs such as targeted therapies. All breast cancer patients should see a medical oncologist at least one time even f you don't have chemotherapy.
• Radiation Oncologist - administers radiation
• Breast Radiologist - radiologist who is specially trained and dedicated in reading breast diagnostics such as mammograms, ultrasounds and breast MRI. Also performs needle biopsies.
• Pathologist - looks at all tissues removed from your body, using a microscope, to determine the stage, grade and many other things about your cancer
• Anesthesiologist - will put you to sleep for surgery

Surgery Types

• Breast Conserving Surgery - Lumpectomy - Partial Mastectomy (requires radiation as well)
• Single Mastectomy - Unilateral Mastectomy (Mastectomy can be done with no reconstruction, delayed reconstruction or immediate reconstruction)
• Double Mastectomy - Bilateral Mastectomy (Mastectomy can be done with no reconstruction, delayed reconstruction or immediate reconstruction)
• Prophylactic Mastectomy (having a breast removed even though it doesn't have cancer - one or both)

Sentinel Node Biopsy

• Usually done at the time of breast surgery to determine whether cancer is in the nodes
• Requires a dye injection prior to surgery. Usually done the same day or day before surgery by surgeon or radiologist

Radiation

• Administered by a Radiation Oncologist
• Partial Breast Radiation - 2 times a day for 5 days - internal (limited to patients who qualify, based on age, tumor size and nodal involvement)
• Traditional Radiation - external beam radiation - 1 time a day, 5 days/week, usually for 6 weeks

Chemotherapy

• Can be IV or oral
• Administered by a Medical Oncologist
• Not all patients require chemotherapy
• Even though you may not require chemotherapy, you should see a medical oncologist with your final pathology report to make the determination of any further treatment needs