 |
|
|
|
Specialized Treatment Services
Breast Surgery
The assessment and treatment of women with both benign and malignant breast diseases including cysts, nipple discharge, breast masses and mammographic calcifications is provided.
State of the art Digital Mammography equipment including CAD (computer-aided detection software). In office biopsies under ultrasound guidance.
Treatment for breast cancer includes:
- Breast conservation
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy, a procedure which uses lymph node mapping to determine which nodes are cancerous
- Mammosite®, a state-of-the-art 5 day radiation treatment alternative for early stage breast cancer, is also available.
The MammoSite® device is a small, soft balloon attached to a thin catheter (tube) that fits inside the lumpectomy cavity (the space left after the tumor is removed). A tiny radioactive source (seed) is placed within the balloon by a computer-controlled machine.
Because the source is inside the balloon, radiation is delivered to the area of your breast where cancer is most likely to recur. When used as primary therapy - the only form of radiation following a lumpectomy - you would receive treatments twice a day for up to 5 days.
If your doctor feels that whole-breast external beam radiation is more appropriate for you, MammoSite® Radiation Therapy System (RTS) may be used as boost therapy. This therapy combines MammoSite® RTS with external beam radiation to deliver additional radiation directly to the area of the breast where cancer is most likely to recur. In this case, MammoSite® RTS therapy is delivered over 1 to 2 days.
*Image courtesy of Cytyc Corporation and affiliates
Colorectal Cancers
Screening, diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancers are offered. While removing the cancer is the primary goal of surgery, maintaining quality of life remains an important consideration. Avoiding a permanent colostomy following colorectal cancer surgery is often possible with sphincter-saving techniques. A variety of techniques such as local excision, preoperative radiation and chemotherapy and reconstruction techniques such as the colonic J-pouch may be used to lessen the likelihood that a permanent colostomy will be necessary. For rectal cancers, Sharp Mesorectal Dissection, a technique that allows the exclusion of all cancerous tissue in and around the rectum, but carefully avoids severing the nerves that are involved in sexual and urinary functions, is performed which reduces local recurrences. Laparoscopic surgery is offered whenever possible.
Dermatological Malignancies
Melanoma: As the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma requires aggressive and skillful treatment. We offer surgical excision of the melanoma with sentinel lymph node biopsy and lymph node dissection if indicated.
Malignant Melanomas
Malignant Melanomas are usually small brown-black or larger multicolored patches, plaques or nodules with irregular outline. They may crust on the surface or bleed. Many of them may arise in pre-existing moles.
Squamous Call Carcinoma: Many cancers of the head and neck region begin as squamous cell carcinoma. Primary excision of the lesion, especially in the head and neck region, is performed with reconstruction if necessary.
Endocrine System
The majority of thyroid cancers are benign; however the Division of Surgical Oncology has experience with the management of both benign and malignant thyroid cancers. Specialized surgical procedures include pancreatic resection of endocrine tumors and adrenalectomy.
MIRP: Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy involves removal of parathyroid adenoma through a small incision placed directly over the gland, which reduces significantly the risk of damaging nerves and other important structures.
Gastro-Intestinal Surgery
Focus on removing the cancer, while maintaining the patient’s quality of life.
Gastric Cancers
Treatment for gastric cancers involving radical surgery, such as removal of stomach and draining of lymph nodes.
Head and Neck Cancer
Diagnostic testing may include endoscopic techniques, such as nasopharyngoscopy, pharyngoscopy or laryngoscopy, which allows a flex microscopic camera to view the inside of the nasal cavity, oral cavity and voice box.
Imaging tests including CT scan, MRI, barium swallow, radionuclide bone scan and/or standard X-rays. Surgical and percutaneous needle biopsy may also be performed.
Most head and neck cancers are treatable when detected early. Surgical treatment may include major composite resection with reconstruction. Surgical advances mean that in many cases normal functioning of the larynx can be preserved. When extensive surgery is required, reconstruction is often initiated immediately. Comprehensive rehabilitation services including speech and swallowing therapy are offered.
Hepatobiliary Cancers
Liver tumors: Surgery is still the gold standard of treatment for liver tumors. Unfortunately, only about 20% of patients with liver tumors are candidates for surgery, due to the extent of the disease, the size or location of the tumors, or the presence of other medical complications. For the majority of patients presenting with inoperable liver tumors, South Nassau now offers radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This technique uses radiofrequency energy to create thermal ablation of the cancer. RFA has emerged as a safe, effective and predictable technology. We utilize RFA laparoscopically, open and in combination with surgical resection.
Pancreatic Tumors
Treatment of pancreatic tumors includes major resection including Whipple procedures. The Whipple operation removes the head of the pancreas, a portion of the bile duct, the gallbladder and the duodenum. Occasionally a portion of the stomach may also be removed. After removal of these structures the remaining pancreas, bile duct and the intestine is sutured back into the intestine to direct the gastrointestinal secretions.
Soft Tissue Tumors
Often occurring in the tissues of the fat, muscle, nerve, blood vessels, or deep skin tissues of any part of the body, soft tissue tumors may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. The goal of surgery is to remove the entire tumor plus 2 to 3 cm of surrounding tissue. The evolution of limb-sparing surgical techniques has resulted in a dramatic decline in the number of amputations performed to treat tumors in the limbs.
|
|
 |
|
