Breast Cancer Treatment

We’re dedicated to treating cancer with excellence, to take care of you and your entire well-being. Nowhere else in our region can you find the level of expertise we offer for treating breast cancer at Goshen Center for Cancer Care. It's how we can take on complex cases and offer life-saving therapies. We offer chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Our multidisciplinary team of board certified oncologists, mind-body counselors, naturopathic doctors and other specialists work together to create an individual treatment plan for you. These may include partial breast radiation, mastectomy or reconstruction.

Goshen Center for Cancer Care is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, demonstrating the center meets standards of delivering comprehensive, patient-centered and multidisciplinary care.

Partial Breast Radiation

Because tumors are most likely to return to the original cancer site, we use partial breast radiation to deliver treatment directly to the tumor. First, we remove the lump. In some cases, five days of partial radiation can be just as effective as whole breast radiation – while offering women options other than a total mastectomy.

We offer four different types of partial breast radiation following a lumpectomy: three are delivered internally through high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy and one is delivered externally. Each treatment is completed in days rather than weeks. And all target the tumor, while sparing healthy tissue. 

Scientific discoveries translated into cures

We conduct clinical trials only a few renowned cancer centers in the country offer. One of our studies compares external radiation and our three internal partial breast radiation techniques to treat breast cancer following a lumpectomy.

Our research is leading to breakthrough discoveries in how we attack cancer and search for a cure. It's why world-class cancer centers like ours believe we can help patients live longer, with fewer side effects and enjoy a better quality of life.

Benefits of partial breast radiation

• Reduces treatment time to days instead of weeks
• Concentrates radiation to former tumor site, sparing skin, lungs, heart, ribs and the healthy part of the breast
• Reduces skin irritation and burning often associated with whole breast radiation
• Allows completion of radiation before chemotherapy begins, if required

Mastectomy

A common breast cancer treatment, a mastectomy removes some or all of one or both breasts (double mastectomy). It’s also used to prevent breast cancer if you are at a high risk.

Types of mastectomy

Board certified, fellowship trained surgical oncologists perform these types of mastectomy at Goshen Center for Cancer Care:

• A partial mastectomy (or lumpectomy) removes the cancer and a small area of surrounding normal breast tissue.
• A nipple-sparing mastectomy removes most or all of the breast tissue but leaves the nipple and areola.
• A total or simple mastectomy removes the entire breast – including the breast tissue, nipple, areola and skin.
• A modified radical mastectomy removes the entire breast and the underarm lymph nodes.
• A radical mastectomy removes the entire breast, underarm lymph nodes and the chest wall muscles under the breast.

Sometimes, a lumpectomy paired with radiation can have the same result as a mastectomy. We also offer intra-operative radiation therapy (IORT), which is radiation at the same time as your mastectomy. This helps limit the number of radiation treatments you need after surgery.

Our doctors can explain your options and help you make the right decision for your unique needs and quality of life.

Support throughout your mastectomy recovery

At Goshen Center for Cancer Care, we surround our patients with a team of specialists who addresses every part of your mastectomy recovery. Our mind-body counselors and Goshen Survivorship Network offer opportunities to care for your mental well-being and connect with other breast cancer patients. We know it takes time to adjust to not having your breasts. Using prosthetic breasts or having breast reconstruction after mastectomy are options.

Reconstruction

Considering your physical appearance and cosmetic concerns are an important part of your cancer treatment. That’s why we help our patients with high-quality breast reconstruction surgery when they choose it. It’s an integral part of our comprehensive breast cancer program at Goshen Center for Cancer Care.

Breast reconstruction rebuilds the breasts to the same size and shape as they were before surgery. In some cases, it may also involve reconstructing the nipple and areola. Most women who have had a mastectomy qualify for this procedure.

Our experts treat your entire well-being so you thrive, not just survive. If you would like to discuss your options for breast reconstruction, breast surgical oncologists at Goshen Center for Cancer Care work closely with plastic surgeons at The Centre, P.C. to coordinate breast reconstruction for women at Goshen Hospital.

What to expect from breast reconstruction surgery and recovery

Generally, your breast reconstruction options include:

• Flap reconstruction – This surgery rebuilds the breast using a flap of tissue from another body site, such as the belly, back, thighs or buttocks.
• Implant reconstruction – Using either saline or silicone implants, this approach may require two surgeries. The first one places an expander to stretch the tissue, usually during cancer surgery. Several weeks or months later, the second step places the implant.

Many women have immediate reconstruction, which is breast reconstruction performed during cancer surgery. However, this is not always recommended, and it may be necessary for your reconstruction to be a separate surgery.

After the procedure, you may stay in the hospital for a few days. Physical therapy can help ease your recovery. Your breasts may look slightly different over the next year or two until the tissues heal completely. Our center offers the emotional care you need as you recover, including support groups through our Goshen Cancer Survivor Network.

We can help

In addition to advanced breast cancer treatments that are designed to preserve your quality of life, Goshen Center for Cancer Care addresses your mind, body and spirit as you undergo treatment. If you are considering breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy, we can connect you with a surgeon, as well as provide the integrative care you need to heal from cancer.