Over the past 10 years, the treatment of breast cancer has dramatically evolved. New scientific and clinical advances have modified the standard of care and led to improved patient outcomes. At the same time, the treatment of breast cancer has become increasingly complex. As a result, the collaboration among cancer specialists facilitated by a multidisciplinary team is crucial in providing the best care to patients and ensuring successful treatment. The Janet Knowles Breast Cancer Center at Cooper Cancer Institute (CCI) is South Jersey’s most comprehensive resource for multidisciplinary mammography.
“We anticipate that this new technology may increase early breast cancer detection by approximately 5 percent,” says Lydia Liao, MD, PhD, MPH, Director of Women’s Imaging and Head of the Cooper Cancer Institute’s Breast Imaging Centers which are accredited as Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.
“But we’re not just an imaging center,” Dr. Liao stresses. “We’re a key player in building a bridge for patients to access the full spectrum of breast care resources available at Cooper.”
“I believe this disease-specific expertise distinguishes breast cancer care, giving the region’s patients distinct advantages when it comes to long-term survival and quality of life.
“Our multidisciplinary team includes experts in breast imaging, breast surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology and pathology, as well as genetics, and plastic and reconstructive surgery. As a team we offer advanced capabilities and techniques to provide personalized care for our patients.” says Kristin L. Brill, MD, FACS, Director of the Section of Breast Surgery and Program Director of the Janet Knowles Breast Cancer Center.
In fact, Dr. Brill notes, Cooper has an in-house oncocytogenetics/ molecular pathology laboratory to identify cancer cells’ biochemical attributes, hormone receptor status and genetic characteristics, helping the team quickly determine the most effective treatment tailored to each patient’s unique diagnosis.
Another advantage Cooper offers is a dedicated breast imaging team. In addition to a full range of screening and diagnostic modalities and tools including all-digital mammography, high- resolution ultrasound, breast MRI, ductogram, PET-CT, image- guided and vacuum-assisted biopsy, Cooper is one of the first in the nation to offer SenoBright contrast enhanced spectral mammography.
“We anticipate that this new technology may increase early breast cancer detection by approximately 5 percent,” says Lydia Liao, MD, PhD, MPH, Director of Women’s Imaging and Head of the Cooper Cancer Institute’s Breast Imaging Centers which are accredited as Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.
“But we’re not just an imaging center,” Dr. Liao stresses. “We’re a key player in building a bridge for patients to access the full spectrum of breast care resources available at Cooper.”
“I believe this disease-specific expertise distinguishes Cooper,” says medical oncologist Robert A. Somer, MD. “There are four physicians in our group alone who primarily see breast cancer patients, and when you do something so frequently, you get very good at what you do.” These capabilities include the latest chemotherapy, targeted biological therapies and hormone treatments. “Plus, as an academic medical center involved in research, we offer clinical trials that give appropriate patients novel treatment options that may not be available elsewhere in the region,” he adds.
Another capability that sets Cooper apart is its plastic and reconstructive surgery expertise – something no other hospital in South Jersey can offer.
“We offer all types of breast reconstruction, from implant- based to autologous tissue,” says Joseph F. Tamburrino, MD, an Attending Surgeon in Cooper’s Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “We utilize all the latest techniques including deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) and transverse upper gracilis (TUG) f laps.” Cooper’s plastic and reconstructive surgeons work closely with breast surgeons to perform nipple-sparing mastectomy with autologous tissue reconstruction. This not only is an option for carefully selected breast cancer patients, but also for high-risk patients carrying the BRCA gene who choose to undergo prophylactic bilateral mastectomy.
Similarly, Cooper provides the region’s most extensive array of radiation treatment options.
“We offer the full spectrum of radiation therapies to breast cancer patients,” says Tamara A. LaCouture, MD, Chief, Department of Radiation Oncology. “This includes standard external beam radiation using conformal and IMRT techniques as well as having the most experience in South Jersey with brachytherapy, including SAVI®.”
SAVI (Strut Adjusted Volume Implant) is used for Reconstructive Surgery. “We utilize all the latest techniques including deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP), superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) and transverse upper gracilis (TUG) f laps.” Cooper’s plastic and reconstructive surgeons work closely with breast surgeons to perform nipple-sparing mastectomy with autologous tissue reconstruction. This not only is an option for carefully selected breast cancer patients, but also for high-risk patients carrying the BRCA gene who choose to undergo prophylactic bilateral mastectomy.
Similarly, Cooper provides the region’s most extensive array of radiation treatment options.
“We offer the full spectrum of radiation therapies to breast cancer patients,” says Tamara A. LaCouture, MD, Chief, Department of Radiation Oncology. “This includes standard external beam radiation using conformal and IMRT techniques as well as having the most experience in South Jersey with brachytherapy, including SAVI®.”
SAVI (Strut Adjusted Volume Implant) is used for accelerated partial breast irradiation in carefully selected patients with early-stage breast cancer. Notably, SAVI treatment can be completed in just five to seven days, versus the five to seven weeks that standard external beam radiation therapy requires.
“For patients who require subsequent care for metastases or need re-radiation, we offer CyberKnife therapy,” Dr. LaCouture continues.
“While our focus is on early-stage detection and cure, we have resources for all stages of breast disease as part of our commitment as a comprehensive breast cancer center,” she adds. These resources include supportive care programs in palliative care, complementary medicine, weight management and nutrition counseling, smoking cessation, support groups, and patient education/survivorship programs. In addition, two nurse navigators work exclusively with breast cancer patients to help guide them throughout the care process.
This depth and breadth of multidisciplinary expertise has earned the Janet Knowles Breast Cancer Center accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). In addition, the CCI is accredited as an Academic Comprehensive Cancer Program by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
“ We take a team approach to providing care that is highly personalized and easily accessible, and strive to communicate well among ourselves and with the referring physician,” notes Dr. Somer. “After all, the referring physician is an integral part of our team.”
For more information about the Janet Knowles Breast Cancer Center at Cooper, or for a physician- to-physician consultation about a patient, call Kristin L. Brill, MD, at 856.342.3429.