Department of Radiation Oncology
Breast Cancer
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Specialized Physicians: Breast Cancer – Pramila Rani Anne, M.D. – Tithi Biswas, M.B.B.S., M.D. – Arthur J. Harvey, M.D. |
Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast and is a malignant (cancer) tumor. It is found mostly in women, but men can get breast cancer, too. A woman’s breast is made up of lobules glands which are fatty and connective tissue, blood vessels and lymph vessels. Most breast cancers will begin in the cells that line the ducts of the glands. Most often these cancers begin as painless masses that are either detected by examination or found on mammograms. If these masses continue to grow, they can spread to the lymph nodes and cause arm swelling and pain. Eventually, these cancers may spread beyond the immediate vicinity to the brain, liver, bones or other organs and cause symptoms such as pain or other symptoms.
The treatment of breast tumors is highly individualized – depending on tumor type, location and size. Treatment of these tumors includes surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiation, or a combination of therapies. At Jefferson we pride ourselves on a strong interdisciplinary network of radiation oncologists, breast surgeons and medical oncologists. Physicians have at their disposal the latest technologies to deliver external beam radiation therapy as well as intracavitary brachytherapy. Our resources include IMRT treatment planning, Active Breathing Coordinator, and partial breast irradiation. We also offer accelerated partial breast irradiation for a five day treatment course with the Mammosite applicator to selected patients. Most importantly, our physicians are renowned leaders in the treatment of breast cancers. We have the experience and high treatment volume to deliver the most optimal care to our patients.
For more information: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast.
For more information about Mammosite, visit http://www.mammosite.com/.
