New Developments

Some of the newest developments includes the use of Accuboost for localizing the tumor cavity for treating with radiation therapy. The machine is a modified version of a mammography unit with very mild compression and allows for very precise radiation treatment currently as a boost to external beam treatment. The possibility exists for doing this treatment as a 5-day twice a day protocol for 10 treatment or a once daily treatment course for 10 days as a protocol or off-label treatment. We are currently the only center in Manhattan that has the ability to do this technique. Some of the newest developments includes the use of Accuboost for localizing the tumor cavity for treating with radiation therapy. The machine is a modified version of a mammography unit with very mild compression and allows for very precise radiation treatment currently as a boost to external beam treatment. The possibility exists for doing this treatment as a 5-day twice a day protocol for 10 treatment or a once daily treatment course for 10 days as a protocol or off-label treatment. We are currently the only center in Manhattan that has the ability to do this technique.

The latest radiation techniques for the treatment of breast cancer include IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy) for certain patients, Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI), AccuBoost as an accurate non-invasive method for tumor cavity localization, and C-Rad sentinel to monitor patients real-time while on treatment (The Farber Center for Radiation Oncology is the only center offering these techniques in Manhattan). The latest radiation techniques for the treatment of breast cancer include IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy) for certain patients, Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI), AccuBoost as an accurate non-invasive method for tumor cavity localization, and C-Rad sentinel to monitor patients real-time while on treatment (The Farber Center for Radiation Oncology is the only center offering these techniques in Manhattan).

There are some new options for autologous (patient’s own tissue) breast reconstruction. We have been very excited about a new flap (free tissue transfer) form the posterior thigh, just below the buttock. Some call this area the “banana roll”. It is called the PAP flap (profunda-femoral artery perforator flap), and we have been using it regularly with excellent results. The scar is nicely buried in the lower buttock crease, and there is no distortion of the buttock like that seen in GAP flaps.
Another exciting new option is autologous breast reconstruction done entirely by injecting liposuction fat into the chest skin and muscle. The chest soft tissue is first expanded externally with a suction device called BRAVA. This stretches the tissue over time and provides space for fat injection. The major drawback is that it takes months of expansion, and several operations to get enough volume. The advantage is that there is no need for another scar as in other types of autologous tissue breast reconstruction like the DIEP.
That's a great question.... how long do you have? :)

I am most excited about the possibility of using the patient's own cells (stem cells) to literally grow a new tailor-made breast. Practically speaking this option may be several years away and we obviously need to ensure it is safe. The good news is that research into this is already well underway and showing very promising early results.

The stem cells would be obtained from the patient by liposuction. The stem cells would then be extracted from the suctioned fat and put to work to literally "grow a breast".

Dr C
http://www.PRMA-enhance.com

i think the most exciting thing is the new research that came out earlier this year that suggests that women who are having a lumpectomy for cancer and who only have one or two sentinel lymph nodes with cancer in them, may not need to have a full axillary dissection to remove all the lymph nodes. this could become practice-changing in the field of breast cancer surgery, but it only applies to some women at this time. i think the most exciting thing is the new research that came out earlier this year that suggests that women who are having a lumpectomy for cancer and who only have one or two sentinel lymph nodes with cancer in them, may not need to have a full axillary dissection to remove all the lymph nodes. this could become practice-changing in the field of breast cancer surgery, but it only applies to some women at this time.