Introduction

Breast surgery can be a life - changing procedure, whether it's for treating breast cancer, correcting a benign condition, or undergoing reconstructive surgery. In New York City, there are numerous world - class hospitals that offer exceptional breast surgery services. The quality of care, expertise of the medical staff, and available treatment options vary from one hospital to another. This article aims to guide you through some of the top hospitals in New York City for breast surgery, helping you make an informed decision based on your specific needs.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital for Breast Surgery

Medical Expertise

The expertise of the medical team is crucial. Look for hospitals with experienced breast surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists. These professionals should have a deep understanding of the latest surgical techniques, treatment protocols, and breast cancer research. For example, surgeons who are proficient in minimally invasive procedures can offer less pain, shorter recovery times, and better cosmetic results.

Treatment Options

A good hospital should offer a wide range of treatment options for breast surgery. This may include mastectomy, lumpectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, breast reconstruction, and various types of cancer therapies such as gland therapy and intrabeam radiation. Having multiple options allows patients and their doctors to choose the most appropriate treatment based on the patient's specific condition.

Multidisciplinary Care

Breast surgery often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Hospitals that provide a team - based care model, where different specialists work together, are more likely to offer comprehensive and coordinated care. For instance, the surgical team may consult with radiation oncologists, nutritionists, and psychologists to ensure that the patient's physical and emotional needs are met throughout the treatment process.

Patient Support Services

Undergoing breast surgery can be a stressful experience. Hospitals that offer patient support services such as patient navigation, social work, genetic testing, and psychological support can greatly enhance the patient's experience. These services can help patients understand their treatment options, cope with the emotional impact of the surgery, and navigate the healthcare system.

Reputation and Track Record

Research the hospital's reputation. Look for hospitals that are well - known for their excellence in breast surgery. You can check patient reviews, hospital rankings, and success rates. Hospitals with a long - standing history of providing high - quality breast surgery services are more likely to offer reliable and effective care.

Top Hospitals for Breast Surgery in New York City

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is the oldest and largest hospital in the world specializing in oncology treatment. It is also among the top 2 facilities in the USA for pediatric cancer treatment.

Medical Expertise: With over 15,600 medical specialists who carry out the treatment of 200 cancer types, many of whom are members of national academies of science and medicine, the center has an unmatched level of expertise in breast cancer surgery. These experts are at the forefront of cancer research and are constantly developing innovative treatment approaches.

Treatment Options: It offers a full range of breast cancer surgeries, including mastectomy (starting from $15,000), which removes all or part of a breast to treat or prevent breast cancer, thereby improving patient survival. They also provide gland therapy for breast cancer, which treats breast tumors by applying medication directly to the gland, reducing side effects and improving efficacy. Lumpectomy (starting from $4,300), a procedure that removes only cancerous breast tissue while sparing the remaining healthy part, ensuring quicker recovery, is also available. Additionally, intrabeam, a targeted, low - dose radiation treatment for cancer applied directly to the tumor site during surgery, minimizing side effects, is offered at the center.

Multidisciplinary Care: The oncologists at Sloan Kettering hospitals develop innovative cancer research programs and provide training programs for the new generation of specialists. The center's approach involves a team of experts from different fields working together to create personalized treatment plans for each patient.

Patient Support Services: Given its long - standing commitment to cancer care, it is likely to have a comprehensive range of patient support services to help patients through every stage of their treatment.

Weill Cornell Medicine Breast Center

The Weill Cornell Medicine Breast Center is dedicated to providing comforting, supportive, and compassionate care to patients undergoing breast surgery.

Medical Expertise: The center's exemplary surgeons have extensive training, expertise, and a passion for improving patients' health and lives with surgical treatment. The team of experts has advanced many of the latest standards for breast cancer prevention and treatment today.

Treatment Options: It offers advanced surgical treatment options for breast cancer treatment and prevention. These include lumpectomy, a procedure to remove the cancer and abnormal tissue from the breast without removing other parts of the breast; mastectomy, a procedure to remove all the breast tissue to prevent or treat breast cancer; sentinel lymph node biopsy, a procedure performed for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer where the sentinel lymph node is identified, removed, and evaluated for cancer cells; and breast reconstruction, the surgical procedure to restore the shape and contour of the breasts after mastectomy.

Multidisciplinary Care: When a patient chooses Weill Cornell Medicine, they have access to a network of doctors and specialists. The breast surgeon may consult with experts in radiation oncology, nutrition, and other medical professionals as needed to help the patient achieve the best possible quality of life. The center partners with New York - Presbyterian, one of the top hospital systems in New York City and the U.S.

Patient Support Services: The center focuses not only on the prevention and treatment of the disease but also on breast reconstruction approaches that preserve tissue and restore the patients' natural contour. The team strives to help all patients achieve optimal health and well - being and enjoy the highest quality of life in which they feel comfortable in their bodies.

NewYork - Presbyterian

NewYork - Presbyterian has multiple locations across New York City, offering a wide range of breast cancer care and surgical services.

Medical Expertise: With a large network of affiliated hospitals and medical centers, it has access to highly skilled medical professionals, including surgeons, oncologists, and radiologists. These experts are well - versed in the latest breast surgery techniques and cancer treatment protocols.

Treatment Options: Different NewYork - Presbyterian locations offer various breast - related services. For example, the Avon Foundation Breast Imaging Screening Center at NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center provides mammogram screenings. Surgical options available throughout the system are similar to those at other top hospitals, including mastectomy, lumpectomy, and breast reconstruction.

Multidisciplinary Care: As a large hospital system, it can easily coordinate multidisciplinary care. Specialists from different departments can work together to provide comprehensive treatment for breast cancer patients. For instance, breast surgeons may collaborate with radiation oncologists to develop the most effective treatment plan.

Patient Support Services: The hospitals within the NewYork - Presbyterian system offer services to support patients during their breast cancer journey. This may include patient navigation to help patients understand their treatment options and access the necessary resources.

Mount Sinai - Union Square

The breast surgery service at Mount Sinai - Union Square is part of the center of excellence for breast cancer at the Mount Sinai Health System.

Medical Expertise: The breast care team includes specialists in breast surgery, radiation oncology, and radiology. Surgeons at the center are trained in advanced surgical techniques such as hidden - scar lumpectomy and nipple - sparing mastectomy.

Treatment Options: They treat a wide variety of breast conditions, including invasive ductal and lobular breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ, abnormal breast biopsies, and breast masses. Surgical options for malignant conditions include breast - conserving procedures that remove cancerous tissue while preserving most of the breast and mastectomies that remove the entire breast.

Multidisciplinary Care: The center works as part of a team that includes specialists in radiology, pathology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. Together, they address all aspects of the patient's care and can identify clinical trials that might be appropriate for the patient.

Patient Support Services: The center is dedicated to shared decision - making and works closely with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan. They also provide information to patients about what to expect at every step of the treatment process.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue's breast surgery service manages and treats patients diagnosed with breast cancer, those at increased risk for developing breast cancer, and patients who need surgery for benign and high - risk lesions.

Medical Expertise: The breast surgery team consists of experienced surgeons. For example, Kathie - Ann Joseph, MD, is the chief of the breast surgery service and an associate professor at the Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and is board - certified by the American Board of Surgery. Erica Friedman, MD, is also a board - certified breast surgery attending.

Treatment Options: Operations performed at the hospital include excisional biopsies for benign tumors, mastectomies, nipple - sparing mastectomies, lumpectomies (with savi scout localization or needle localization), sentinel node biopsies, axillary node dissections, and terminal duct excisions (for nipple discharge). The hospital also offers access to clinical trials, patient navigation, social work, genetic testing, tomosynthesis, MRI/MRI - guided biopsy, diep flap reconstruction/implants, psychological support, lymphedema treatment/physical therapy, nutrition, and radiation oncology.

Multidisciplinary Care: The team works in a multi - disciplinary manner with a team of doctors to make sure that every patient gets the latest treatment approaches to breast cancer care. The goal is to support patients through the entire process from diagnosis through surgery.

Patient Support Services: There is an entire team to help patients through the process, including a physician assistant who can be contacted via email for information.

Columbia Surgery (Columbia University)

The surgical breast care program at Columbia University provides comprehensive treatment for all forms of breast disease.

Medical Expertise: The program uses the most advanced services available, state - of - the - art equipment, and personalized management from leading clinical experts. These experts have a deep understanding of breast cancer and other breast conditions, allowing them to develop effective treatment plans.

Treatment Options: Their breast cancer program offers significantly better results than others, including higher survival rates, lower complication rates, and better reconstructive results than the national averages. The program can diagnose specific types of breast cancer or disease and then develop a personalized treatment plan in collaboration with the patient.

Multidisciplinary Care: The full resources of a major academic facility are available, allowing the program to work closely with specialists from a variety of fields. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive and coordinated care.

Patient Support Services: The program offers comprehensive care to prevent, diagnose, and treat breast cancer and other breast conditions. They provide support and guidance to patients throughout their treatment journey.

Cost of Breast Surgery in New York City

The cost of breast surgery in New York City can vary significantly depending on the type of surgery, the hospital, and the patient's insurance coverage. Here is a breakdown of the approximate costs for some common breast surgeries based on available data:

It's important to note that these are just starting points, and the actual cost may be higher depending on additional factors such as the complexity of the surgery, the need for additional treatments, and hospital fees. It's advisable to contact the hospital's billing department or your insurance provider to get a more accurate estimate of the cost.

Conclusion

Choosing the right hospital for breast surgery in New York City is a crucial decision that can have a significant impact on your treatment outcome and overall experience. Hospitals like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine Breast Center, NewYork - Presbyterian, Mount Sinai - Union Square, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, and Columbia Surgery all offer high - quality breast surgery services. When making your decision, consider factors such as medical expertise, treatment options, multidisciplinary care, patient support services, and cost.

We encourage you to do further research, talk to your doctor, and even visit the hospitals if possible. This will help you make an informed decision and ensure that you receive the best possible care for your breast surgery needs. If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out to the hospitals directly or consult with a healthcare professional.