Breast cancer

Our breast cancer surgeons are experienced in the latest procedures and strive to use the least invasive methods possible.

Lumpectomy

This surgery removes only the cancerous tissue from the breast, leaving the rest of the breast intact.

Breast reduction lumpectomy

Women who decide to have a breast-conserving lumpectomy may elect to undergo an oncoplastic procedure called a breast reduction lumpectomy. During a breast reduction lumpectomy, a plastic surgeon and breast surgeon work together to remove the cancerous tissue and perform a breast reduction. This creates postsurgical symmetry.

Mastectomy

A mastectomy is a surgery that removes the breast to treat breast cancer. We offer many types of mastectomy surgery, including simple or total mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy, nipple-sparing mastectomy and skin-sparing mastectomy.

Hidden scar breast surgery

This approach uses an incision in an inconspicuous area to remove cancerous tissue while minimizing visible scarring.

Wire-free breast surgery

Prior to the surgery date, breast radiologists will place a small reflector into the cancerous area in the breast. This procedure helps the breast surgeon and pathologist correctly identify the cancerous area during surgery.

Sentinel node biopsy

The sentinel nodes are the most likely to have cancer in them if your cancer has spread outside the breast tissue. These lymph nodes will be removed during surgery to assess if your cancer has spread to the local lymph nodes.

We focus on providing high-quality, collaborative, patient-centered cancer care using the most advanced radiation therapies available, including:

External beam radiation (EBRT)

EBRT is the most common form of radiation therapy for breast cancer patients. It delivers high-dose radiation to the targeted area from an angle, shaping the radiation beam to the exact dimensions and contour of the target to protect healthy tissue in the surrounding area.

Prone breast radiation

Prone breast radiation is a unique way to administer EBRT. The board is designed to position patients on their stomachs, so healthy breast tissue is isolated away from the body. It also minimizes radiation to the surrounding organs such as the heart and lungs.

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI)

This type of radiation therapy targets a part of the breast where a tumor has been surgically removed. Often used for women who have had breast-conserving surgery for early-stage breast cancer, this treatment minimizes damage to the surrounding heart, lungs, ribs, muscles, and skin. This treatment is typically delivered over a shorter course (i.e. 5 days).

Hypofractionated radiation therapy

Women with early-stage breast cancer typically receive hypofractionated radiation therapy treatment after a lumpectomy (surgery performed to remove the breast tumor). This treatment plan involves administering more radiation therapy at one time, giving the patient fewer appointments and a shorter course of treatment. The treatment plan aims to reduce side effects and reactions in the skin and also has the benefit of being more convenient for patients.

Deep inspiration breath-holding technique (DIBH)

DIBH is a method of delivering radiotherapy to the breast, in order to protect the heart and lungs from radiation. During this treatment, the patient takes a deep breath and holds it while the radiation is delivered. When the breath is drawn, the lungs fill with air, moving the heart away from the chest and decreasing the amount of radiation the heart receives.

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT)

IORT is a breast cancer treatment that involves a patient being able to complete an entire dose of radiation therapy during their lumpectomy surgery.

There are many options for treating breast cancer and you may even try multiple methods, including various medications administered in different ways.

Chemotherapy

This form of treatment uses cancer-killing drugs that are injected or given orally.

Scalp cooling/hair loss prevention

A common side effect of chemotherapy is hair loss. These systems use cold to narrow blood vessels in the scalp, reducing the amount of medication that reaches the hair.

Hormone therapy

Some forms of breast cancer respond to hormone therapy, which slows or stops the growth of the tumor by blocking the production of hormones or interfering with the hormonal effects on the cancer cells.

Immunotherapy

Some forms of breast cancer respond to immunotherapy, which uses drugs that stimulate the immune system to identify and kill cancer cells.

Targeted therapy

This treatment is used to target changes in the cells that cause cancer.

Staging and lymph node involvement

Our team uses imaging tools and biopsy to determine if and how much cancer has spread to create the least invasive and most effective treatment plan.

Breast reconstruction surgery

Breast reconstructive surgery can usually be done at the same time as treatment surgery, depending upon the patient's diagnosis.

Implant-based reconstruction

This procedure is done in the same operative setting as the mastectomy and can be done in the following ways depending on surgical considerations and your desired implant size:

• Direct-to-implant — The plastic surgeon adds the implant either in front of or behind the pectoralis muscle.
• Staged — The plastic surgeon initially places a tissue expander. Then, a second surgery will occur later to exchange the expander with a silicone gel implant to restore the shape of the breast after mastectomy.

Free-flap (DIEP flap) reconstruction

A portion of skin, fat and blood vessels is harvested from the bikini line and used on the chest to create a breast shape from one's own tissue.

TRAM flap reconstruction

Transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) uses a flap of skin, fat and all or part of the rectus abdominus (6-pack) muscles to reconstruct the breast.

Latissimus flaps

For this reconstruction, a flap of skin, fat, muscle and blood vessels are taken from the upper back and used to recreate the breast.

Nipple reconstruction

For women who are not a candidate for nipple-sparing, the plastic surgeon may offer a tattoo to create the appearance of a nipple or can formally recreate a nipple using tissue from somewhere else in the body. Sometimes tattooing will still be offered to give it a more natural look.

Fat transfer

Using liposuction, fat tissue can be removed from one area of the body and then be injected in the breast between the skin and the implant to smooth out imperfections that may be visible from the edges of the implant.

All of our breast cancer patients are referred to our oncology rehabilitation program. While you may think of rehabilitation after completing your treatments, we encourage all patients to “prehab” with oncology rehabilitation. This helps determine baseline measurements, detect potential functional impairments, allow for early treatment and intervention, and develop a postoperative care plan for rehab.

At our on-site oncology rehab clinic, you can receive physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy at any stage of your cancer treatment. We aim to ease symptoms, increase function, and improve quality of life through the program. Fully customized to your unique needs, aspects of cancer rehabilitation include:

• Battling cancer-related fatigue
• Energy conservation
• Fall prevention
• Improving balance
• Improving memory and thinking
• Overcoming weakness
• Walking and stair safety

Patients participate in one-on-one therapies with highly experienced physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists.

Unique to our program is the way in which we pair these treatments with the highest level of patient service and personalized treatment. We know that your whole health doesn't revolve around cancer — your well-being has many facets. We offer unique programs across disciplines to provide advanced care for complex health situations.

Cardio-oncology

Our cardiology experts evaluate and treat you if you are at risk of heart disease before, during, and after your treatment for cancer. An example of our multidisciplinary care, this cardio-oncology program is designed to ensure all aspects of your health are considered when designing your treatment plan.

Oncofertility for women

While cancer treatment often is lifesaving, it can leave an impact on your body. Our women's hospital is dedicated to staying proactive for women undergoing cancer treatments.

Our oncofertility program hosts a multidisciplinary team of experts and provides counseling and planning for women of childbearing age facing cancer treatment. We also offer multiple options for women facing cancer-related infertility and create a plan for each woman based on her type and extent of cancer. We know timing is crucial for fertility, so our expert reproductive endocrinologist provides priority appointments and discounted treatment options to recently diagnosed cancer patients seeking to preserve their fertility.

Young women's program

When a woman who is 40 years old or younger is diagnosed with breast cancer, she faces unique challenges. At Rose, one in five women treated are in this stage of life, and 10% of breast surgeries are performed on women between 18 and 44 years old. During this time, many women build careers, complete school and start a family. We want to meet you where you are.

We provide individualized, comprehensive care based on the latest evidence-based research. Our program often includes:

As part of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, our family of hospitals provides comprehensive cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer in our communities. From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship care, our oncology expertise ensures you have access to locally trusted care with the support of a globally recognized network.

askSARAH helpline

Have cancer questions? We can help. askSARAH is a dedicated helpline for your cancer-related questions. Our specially trained nurses are available 24/7, and all calls are confidential. Contact askSARAH at (303) 253-3225.