Recognized by the American College of Radiology
October 15, 2024
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women and can affect one in eight women over their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society®. Men are not immune from breast cancer either; an estimated one in 833 men will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in breast tissue that results in a mass or tumor. Not all tumors are cancerous or life threatening. Tumors that are cancerous are called malignant, while tumors that are not cancerous are considered benign. When malignant cells move to other parts of the body, or invade surrounding healthy tissues, the original tumor is said to have metastasized or spread to other parts of the body.
Screenings for breast cancer
As an accredited breast cancer program, Wellington Regional Medical Center is a national leader in breast imaging and the treatment of breast cancer.
Recognized by the American College of Radiology as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, WRMC has demonstrated excellence in:
- Mammography
- Breast ultrasound
- MRI of the breast
- Stereotactic, ultrasound and MRI-guided breast biopsies
Treatment options
Surgeons at Wellington Regional perform the full spectrum of breast cancer surgery. Surgical options typically include breast conservation (lumpectomy) and mastectomy (removal of all breast tissue).
Savi SCOUT®
For non-palpable cancers, Wellington Regional offers the Savi SCOUT® wire-free radar localization system, which helps physicians precisely locate tumors during a surgical procedure. It increases the probability of complete cancer removal while conserving healthy breast tissue.
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy
For breast cancer patients who meet the criteria, Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT) offers a possible one-time radiation treatment option, delivered while patients are asleep in the operating room at the time of their lumpectomy. With IORT, radiation oncologists, pathologists and breast surgeons collaborate to deliver a concentrated one-time dose of radiation which targets the cancer cells without damaging healthy tissues surrounding the area. This one-time treatment option may prevent the need for longer courses of radiation therapy.
Nipple-sparing mastectomy
Nipple-sparing mastectomy is the removal of the cancerous breast tissue without removing the nipple or areola. For the patients who meet the criteria, nipple-sparing mastectomies allow for reconstruction of the breast with results that are similar to the natural breast with minimal visible scarring. The long-term prognosis using the nipple-sparing technique to treat breast cancer is excellent.
Hidden Scar™ surgery
Hidden scar breast cancer surgery uses surgical techniques where the scars are hidden in natural skin folds such as the armpit, crease under the breast or around the areola, and are not visible once healed. The technique can be used in both nipple-sparing mastectomies as well as lumpectomies.
Dedicated breast cancer navigator
Confronting a breast cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming and emotional time, but you do not have to face it alone. At Wellington Regional Medical Center, our goal is to help breast cancer patients feel more comfortable and confident throughout the treatment process. Our nurse navigator accompanies the patient every step of the way to provide support and serve as a personal advocate throughout the journey.
To make an appointment with a physician, please contact our free physician referral service at 561-798-9880.