program highlight
Breast Cancer
The Breast Cancer program at Northwestern Medicine offers highly specialized comprehensive care for the treatment of both early and advanced stage breast cancer. The cornerstone of the program is its experienced multidisciplinary team of caregivers, which includes specialists in Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Interventional Radiology, as well as dedicated pathologists, advance practice and infusion nurses, genetic specialist, fertility specialist and dedicated nurse navigators. This team – comprised of some of the country’s leading breast cancer experts – who meet to review patient cases, discuss complications and determine the most effective courses of treatment.
In partnership with the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Northwestern Memorial Hospital is proud to be ranked as one of the top 15 cancer programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
With dedicated breast cancer centers such as the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center and Posy Krehbiel Breast Cancer Center, patients have access to world-class care and breast cancer experts all dedicated to serving patients and having the best outcomes.
The Breast Cancer program at Northwestern Medicine offers highly specialized comprehensive care for the treatment of both early and advanced stage breast cancer. The cornerstone of the program is its experienced multidisciplinary team of caregivers, which includes specialists in Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Interventional Radiology, as well as dedicated pathologists, advance practice and infusion nurses, genetic specialist, fertility specialist and dedicated nurse navigators. This team – comprised of some of the country’s leading breast cancer experts – who meet to review patient cases, discuss complications and determine the most effective courses of treatment.
In partnership with the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Northwestern Memorial Hospital is proud to be ranked as one of the top 15 cancer programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
With dedicated breast cancer centers such as the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center and Posy Krehbiel Breast Cancer Center, patients have access to world-class care and breast cancer experts all dedicated to serving patients and having the best outcomes.
Detection and Treatment
In addition to nationally recognized experts and multidisciplinary collaboration; Northwestern Medicine offers some of the most advanced detection methods and treatment protocols. Our advanced imaging techniques exceed industry standards and improve detection rates and decrease the number of false positives with digital breast tomosynthesis (tomo), also known as 3D mammography. This FDA- approved advanced screening technology is able to capture high resolution images of the breast from multiple angles- allowing physicians to view the breast tissue in greater detail, making breast cancer easier to diagnose and in earlier stages.
For the treatment of breast cancer, our multidisciplinary team considers more than just a procedure or treatment; they work together to develop a plan of treatment that’s best for both the patient as well as the disease. Northwestern Medicine offers a comprehensive surgical program that includes a team of board-certified surgical oncologists experienced in complex breast cancer cases, coupled with world-class medial oncologist and researchers who develop personalized care plans to for each patient.
Advanced Surgical Options
Oncoplastic Surgery, a technique used during breast lumpectomy procedure to minimize contour deformities such as depressions and indentations. This leaves the breast as close to its natural appearance as possible, as well as nipple-sparing mastectomy,
Nipple-sparing mastectomy, sometimes referred to as a “no visible scar mastectomy” is best for those patients with smaller size breast and a cancer that is not too close to the nipple. This technique is a preferred method for prophylactic mastectomies in those patients at a high risk for breast cancer, such as those who are BRCA positive.
Advanced Therapies
For patients whose cancer is not responsive to traditional therapies such as chemo or radiation, the Lurie Cancer Center and Northewestern Medicine launched Northwestern OncoSET. This dedicated team of specialist combines genomic sequencing and sophisticated molecular analysis to develop targeted treatments that will benefit the individual patient.
To evaluate and discuss the best treatment options for each patient, OncoSET created the Lurie Cancer Center's Molecular Tumor Board, which brings together a group of experts to review every tumor's genomic profile. The board is comprised of a wide spectrum of cancer specialists, including pathologists, medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, as well as cancer geneticists, genome biologists, molecular scientists, bio-ethicists and bioinformaticists.
"OncoSET is an unprecedented initiative to deliver personalized, effective cancer treatments to patients who currently have very limited options. Advanced molecular testing to evaluate a tumor's genetic profile will increase our understanding of the disease, and our ability to offer individually tailored therapeutic agents," said Massimo Cristofanilli, MD, Associate Director for Translational Research and Precision Medicine at the Lurie Cancer Center, and Director of the OncoSET program.
Research and Support
Combining clinical practice with ground breaking research, the Lurie Cancer Center is one of only 47 National Cancer Institutes (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation, dedicated to the nation’s cancer research efforts to fight cancer and find a cure. Lurie Cancer Center is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of 27 of the world's leading cancer centers dedicated to quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of cancer care so that patients can live better lives.
Research plays a significant role in treatment of patients facing breast cancer; examining new breast cancer therapies are critical.
A combination of the drugs palbociclib and fulvestrant provides an effective and well-tolerated therapy for patients with recurrent metastatic breast cancer who are resistant to endocrine therapy, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study.
This phase III clinical trial, published in Lancet Oncology, followed up an initial analysis and focused on the various aspects of endocrine resistance in hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, which relies on estrogen to grow and progress. The paper also included clinical and safety endpoints.
“We learned the drug continues to be effective and saw significant progression for survival,” said first author Massimo Cristofanilli, MD, professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology. Dr. Cristofanilli is also the associate director for Precision Medicine and Translational Research at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University. “Palbociclib represents an alternative to chemotherapy for a patient that may have developed endocrine resistance, and it is certainly less toxic.”
The breast cancer program also provides resources to address each patient’s unique quality-of-life concerns. In addition to a complete complement of financial, nutritional, psychological and alternative therapeutic services, we offer fertility experts to assist patients and their families during treatment; we also provide survivorship and palliative care to extend support after treatment has ended.
The level of care we provide at Northwestern Medicine goes beyond oncology. It’s individualized care that encompasses physical, emotional and social needs, all in an effort to provide the best quality of care and the best quality of life.”
Impacting Every Day
Our nationally recognized team of breast cancer experts is doing more than writing the book on breast cancer, they are intimately involved in developing international standards for treatment regimens, pioneering advances in targeted therapies, conducting research and designing clinical trials for new treatment regimens, and providing ongoing care that extends beyond the scope of clinical treatment. Our goal is not only to advance knowledge across the spectrum of care but to provide patients like Mary with the most advanced detection methods, the most effective treatment options and the most comprehensive support services available to help make every day feel everyday again.
When Mary went for her annual mammogram with Nadim Khoury, MD, a recently retired Northwestern Medicine physician and her primary care provider for 25 years, he asked her to return for further testing. Her following visits included a diagnostic mammogram, MRI and biopsy. The biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of breast cancer – non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ – and her care team referred her to Kevin Bethke, MD, a breast cancer surgeon with Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University. Dr. Bethke removed Mary’s tumor, but surgery revealed additional signs of cancer. An outpatient lumpectomy – 45 minutes with twilight anesthesia – would treat that too.
After diagnosis, it was important to Mary that her care would allow her to maintain her everyday life, and she expressed as much to Lurie Cancer Center team members David R. Gius, MD, PhD, radiation oncologist, and Claudia Tellez, MD, a medical oncologist, when they evaluated her for radiation and medication, respectively. Ultimately, her care team did not recommend radiation, and because of her low risk for recurrence, they developed a plan that did not require medication, which freed Mary from any potential side effects.
This treatment plan allowed Mary to make a simple but strong assertion about how cancer would impact her everyday. Namely, that it wouldn’t: “I’m not letting it bother me,” Mary said. “I’m going to live the rest of my life in a calm and happy way.”
Her approach – and that of her care team – also allowed Mary to run the Shamrock Shuffle, one of Chicago’s most-loved races, less than two weeks after her surgery. A small part in her range of interests, running in the race was a nod to her good health, an indicator that she could resume her life with gusto.
With a customized care plan, informed by recent research that suggests less treatment may be more beneficial for certain patients, Mary can keep doing all the things she loves. Whether that’s getting involved with new projects, running when she wants or spending time with her many friends, Mary’s everyday is upbeat, active and happy.
Source http://news.feinberg.northwestern.edu/2016/03/examining-new-breast-cancer-therapy/
In addition to nationally recognized experts and multidisciplinary collaboration; Northwestern Medicine offers some of the most advanced detection methods and treatment protocols. Our advanced imaging techniques exceed industry standards and improve detection rates and decrease the number of false positives with digital breast tomosynthesis (tomo), also known as 3D mammography. This FDA- approved advanced screening technology is able to capture high resolution images of the breast from multiple angles- allowing physicians to view the breast tissue in greater detail, making breast cancer easier to diagnose and in earlier stages.
For the treatment of breast cancer, our multidisciplinary team considers more than just a procedure or treatment; they work together to develop a plan of treatment that’s best for both the patient as well as the disease. Northwestern Medicine offers a comprehensive surgical program that includes a team of board-certified surgical oncologists experienced in complex breast cancer cases, coupled with world-class medial oncologist and researchers who develop personalized care plans to for each patient.
Advanced Surgical Options
Oncoplastic Surgery, a technique used during breast lumpectomy procedure to minimize contour deformities such as depressions and indentations. This leaves the breast as close to its natural appearance as possible, as well as nipple-sparing mastectomy,
Nipple-sparing mastectomy, sometimes referred to as a “no visible scar mastectomy” is best for those patients with smaller size breast and a cancer that is not too close to the nipple. This technique is a preferred method for prophylactic mastectomies in those patients at a high risk for breast cancer, such as those who are BRCA positive.
Advanced Therapies
For patients whose cancer is not responsive to traditional therapies such as chemo or radiation, the Lurie Cancer Center and Northewestern Medicine launched Northwestern OncoSET. This dedicated team of specialist combines genomic sequencing and sophisticated molecular analysis to develop targeted treatments that will benefit the individual patient.
To evaluate and discuss the best treatment options for each patient, OncoSET created the Lurie Cancer Center's Molecular Tumor Board, which brings together a group of experts to review every tumor's genomic profile. The board is comprised of a wide spectrum of cancer specialists, including pathologists, medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, as well as cancer geneticists, genome biologists, molecular scientists, bio-ethicists and bioinformaticists.
"OncoSET is an unprecedented initiative to deliver personalized, effective cancer treatments to patients who currently have very limited options. Advanced molecular testing to evaluate a tumor's genetic profile will increase our understanding of the disease, and our ability to offer individually tailored therapeutic agents," said Massimo Cristofanilli, MD, Associate Director for Translational Research and Precision Medicine at the Lurie Cancer Center, and Director of the OncoSET program.
Research and Support
Combining clinical practice with ground breaking research, the Lurie Cancer Center is one of only 47 National Cancer Institutes (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation, dedicated to the nation’s cancer research efforts to fight cancer and find a cure. Lurie Cancer Center is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of 27 of the world's leading cancer centers dedicated to quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of cancer care so that patients can live better lives.
Research plays a significant role in treatment of patients facing breast cancer; examining new breast cancer therapies are critical.
A combination of the drugs palbociclib and fulvestrant provides an effective and well-tolerated therapy for patients with recurrent metastatic breast cancer who are resistant to endocrine therapy, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study.
This phase III clinical trial, published in Lancet Oncology, followed up an initial analysis and focused on the various aspects of endocrine resistance in hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, which relies on estrogen to grow and progress. The paper also included clinical and safety endpoints.
“We learned the drug continues to be effective and saw significant progression for survival,” said first author Massimo Cristofanilli, MD, professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology. Dr. Cristofanilli is also the associate director for Precision Medicine and Translational Research at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University. “Palbociclib represents an alternative to chemotherapy for a patient that may have developed endocrine resistance, and it is certainly less toxic.”
The breast cancer program also provides resources to address each patient’s unique quality-of-life concerns. In addition to a complete complement of financial, nutritional, psychological and alternative therapeutic services, we offer fertility experts to assist patients and their families during treatment; we also provide survivorship and palliative care to extend support after treatment has ended.
The level of care we provide at Northwestern Medicine goes beyond oncology. It’s individualized care that encompasses physical, emotional and social needs, all in an effort to provide the best quality of care and the best quality of life.”
Impacting Every Day
Our nationally recognized team of breast cancer experts is doing more than writing the book on breast cancer, they are intimately involved in developing international standards for treatment regimens, pioneering advances in targeted therapies, conducting research and designing clinical trials for new treatment regimens, and providing ongoing care that extends beyond the scope of clinical treatment. Our goal is not only to advance knowledge across the spectrum of care but to provide patients like Mary with the most advanced detection methods, the most effective treatment options and the most comprehensive support services available to help make every day feel everyday again.
When Mary went for her annual mammogram with Nadim Khoury, MD, a recently retired Northwestern Medicine physician and her primary care provider for 25 years, he asked her to return for further testing. Her following visits included a diagnostic mammogram, MRI and biopsy. The biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of breast cancer – non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ – and her care team referred her to Kevin Bethke, MD, a breast cancer surgeon with Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University. Dr. Bethke removed Mary’s tumor, but surgery revealed additional signs of cancer. An outpatient lumpectomy – 45 minutes with twilight anesthesia – would treat that too.
After diagnosis, it was important to Mary that her care would allow her to maintain her everyday life, and she expressed as much to Lurie Cancer Center team members David R. Gius, MD, PhD, radiation oncologist, and Claudia Tellez, MD, a medical oncologist, when they evaluated her for radiation and medication, respectively. Ultimately, her care team did not recommend radiation, and because of her low risk for recurrence, they developed a plan that did not require medication, which freed Mary from any potential side effects.
This treatment plan allowed Mary to make a simple but strong assertion about how cancer would impact her everyday. Namely, that it wouldn’t: “I’m not letting it bother me,” Mary said. “I’m going to live the rest of my life in a calm and happy way.”
Her approach – and that of her care team – also allowed Mary to run the Shamrock Shuffle, one of Chicago’s most-loved races, less than two weeks after her surgery. A small part in her range of interests, running in the race was a nod to her good health, an indicator that she could resume her life with gusto.
With a customized care plan, informed by recent research that suggests less treatment may be more beneficial for certain patients, Mary can keep doing all the things she loves. Whether that’s getting involved with new projects, running when she wants or spending time with her many friends, Mary’s everyday is upbeat, active and happy.
Source http://news.feinberg.northwestern.edu/2016/03/examining-new-breast-cancer-therapy/
