The Region’s Most Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Team for Breast Cancer Care

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 abouthe JaneKnowles  BreasCancer Center at Cooper, or for a physician- to-physician consultation about a patient, call  Kristin L. Brill,  MD,  at 856.342.3429.

 

 

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