Introduction
Axillary breast cryoablation is an important and innovative medical procedure in the field of breast treatment. New York City, being a global medical hub, is home to several top - notch specialized institutions that offer this procedure. In this article, we will introduce you to the top 4 specialized institutions for axillary breast cryoablation in New York City. We'll delve into their accreditations, the expertise of their medical staff, available treatment options, and other significant aspects.
1. NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia and NewYork - Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Breast Centers
Accreditations
The breast centers at NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia and NewYork - Presbyterian/Weill Cornell are Manhattan's first to be accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). The NAPBC accreditation is highly prestigious. It recognizes centers that offer patients state - of - the - art treatment options, including clinical research trials. Centers must demonstrate a firm commitment to offering patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease. They must provide advanced treatment options, take a multidisciplinary team approach, offer community outreach and professional education, and undertake quality - improvement initiatives.
Medical Staff and Expertise
These breast centers are affiliated with top - tier medical institutions. NewYork - Presbyterian hospital has academic affiliations with Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Weill Cornell Medical College. Over the past 25 years, there have been many significant advances in breast cancer treatment pioneered by physician - scientists at these institutions. Surgeons at the breast centers are among the first to perform total skin - sparing, nipple - sparing mastectomy, which helps improve the aesthetic outcome of reconstructive surgery. They were also among the first to use sentinel node biopsy, which limits the number of lymph nodes that need to be removed to determine if a tumor has spread. In addition, they are among only a few worldwide to perform bone marrow examination at the time of surgery to rule out micro - metastatic disease, and are among the first to offer intraoperative radiofrequency ablation to reduce the possibility of patients requiring additional surgery.
Treatment Options
Looking ahead, physician - scientists are working on new treatment and prevention strategies. This includes an intraductal approach that employs a miniature endoscope to access the milk ducts through the nipple. Biomarkers in nipple fluid are being studied for their potential to be the basis of a screening test akin to a pap test. Also under development are new radiotherapy techniques like balloon partial breast radiation that reduces treatment time and limits radiation exposure to healthy tissues. The breast center physicians are leading a national cancer institute (NCI) – funded multicenter clinical trial studying cryoablation, or freezing, as an alternative to mastectomy or lumpectomy.
Patient Care and Facilities
NewYork - Presbyterian hospital is the nation's largest not - for - profit, non - sectarian hospital, with 2,409 beds. It has nearly 2 million inpatient and outpatient visits in a year, including 12,797 deliveries and 195,294 visits to its emergency departments. The hospital's 6,144 affiliated physicians and 19,376 staff provide state - of - the - art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine at five major centers.
2. Weill Cornell Breast Center
Accreditation and Recognition
The Weill Cornell Breast Center is one of only two breast centers in New York City accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. This accreditation is a testament to the center's high - quality care and advanced treatment options.
Multidisciplinary Team
Breast and reconstructive surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, radiation oncologists, genetic counselors, and medical oncologists work in a multidisciplinary setting. This approach allows for the design of individualized therapy for each patient. They also provide holistic support after active treatment is done.
Treatment Techniques
There are many surgical and reconstructive options available to treat breast cancer. Weill Cornell breast surgeons are widely recognized for being at the forefront of many techniques used in standard practice today. These include nipple and skin - sparing mastectomy, cryoablation, intraoperative radiation therapy, and microvascular breast reconstruction. They were among the first in New York City to perform many of these procedures. Recently, they added a new treatment: a single dose of radiation at the time of surgery, which enables women with early - stage breast cancer to forego a 6 - 7 week radiation regimen.
Clinical Trials
Medical oncologists at the center provide the opportunity for eligible patients to participate in newly developed treatment protocols. Surgeons are leading a national, multicenter National Institutes of Health trial to evaluate ablation therapy for the treatment of breast cancer, which would eliminate the need for surgery for some patients.
3. Columbia University Surgical Breast Care Program
Comprehensive Care
The surgical breast care program at Columbia University provides comprehensive treatment for all forms of breast disease. It focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating breast cancer and other breast conditions. They use the most advanced services available, state - of - the - art equipment, and personalized management from leading clinical experts.
Benefits of the Program
The breast cancer program at Columbia offers significantly better results than others, including higher survival rates, lower complication rates, and better reconstructive results than the national averages. They have the full resources of a major academic facility, allowing them to offer a range of different programs and services and work closely with specialists from a variety of fields. After diagnosing a patient's specific type of breast cancer or disease, the team collaborates with the patient to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Axillary Breast Cryoablation
Although specific details about axillary breast cryoablation are not as prominently featured as some other institutions, with their advanced medical capabilities and research - oriented environment, they are likely to offer this procedure with high - quality standards. The team's experience in breast surgery and oncology positions them well to perform and manage cryoablation cases.
Locations
The program has offices in multiple locations in New York City, including Midtown (Columbiadoctors Midtown, 51 W. 51st street), Washington Heights (Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Herbert Irving Pavilion, 10th floor), Westchester (New York - Presbyterian Westchester, 55 Palmer avenue), and at New York - Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital (1978 Crompond rd, suite 103).
4. Montefiore Medical Center - Division of Breast Surgery
Multidisciplinary Approach
The department of surgery at Montefiore Medical Center, led by Chairman Robert E. Michler, MD, is committed to a multidisciplinary approach. The multidisciplinary team at the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC) is composed of medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, social workers, geneticists, pathologists, radiologists, patient navigators, psychologists, and a specialist in lymphedema. When patients come for appointments, they meet with various members of their specialized team.
Surgical Options
The surgeons in the division of breast surgery at Montefiore offer a variety of surgical approaches to breast cancer patients. For axillary (underarm) lymph nodes, they perform sentinel lymph node biopsy, which involves the mapping, removal, and microscopic examination of the sentinel nodes, the first lymph nodes to receive cancer cells from breast tumors. They also perform axillary lymph node dissection when cancer has spread to those lymph nodes. Although not solely focused on cryoablation, their expertise in breast surgery and axillary management provides a strong foundation for axillary breast cryoablation procedures.
Research and Patient - Centered Care
The MECCC initiates various research studies and participates in many of the national trials currently in progress. Their oncologists discuss eligibility with each patient to optimize their treatment. All of their research endeavors have the common goal of improving patients' quality of life and overall survivorship. This research - driven and patient - centered approach likely translates to high - quality axillary breast cryoablation treatment.
Comparing the Four Institutions
| Institution | Accreditations | Medical Staff Expertise | Treatment Options | Research Involvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia and NewYork - Presbyterian/Weill Cornell | NAPBC accredited | Pioneered many breast treatment techniques over 25 years | Cryoablation, intraductal approach, new radiotherapy | Leading NCI - funded multicenter cryoablation trial |
| Weill Cornell Breast Center | NAPBC accredited | Multidisciplinary team with experts in various fields | Nipple and skin - sparing mastectomy, cryoablation, intraoperative radiation | Leading national NIH trial on ablation therapy |
| Columbia University Surgical Breast Care Program | Not explicitly mentioned about cryo - specific accreditation | Leading clinical experts with access to academic resources | Comprehensive breast disease treatment, likely cryoablation | Implied due to academic nature but no specific details |
| Montefiore Medical Center - Division of Breast Surgery | Not specifically stated regarding breast center accreditation | Multidisciplinary team including multiple specialists | Multiple surgical options for breast cancer, potential cryoablation | Participates in national trials and initiates own studies |
How to Choose the Right Institution
When choosing a specialized institution for axillary breast cryoablation in New York City, several factors should be considered:
- Accreditation: Institutions with NAPBC accreditation, such as NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia and NewYork - Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, and Weill Cornell Breast Center, have met high - quality standards.
- Medical Staff Expertise: Look for institutions where the medical staff has experience in performing cryoablation and related breast procedures. Surgeons who have pioneered new techniques are often a good choice.
- Treatment Options: Consider the range of treatment options available. An institution that offers a variety of treatment approaches can better tailor the treatment to your specific needs.
- Research Involvement: Institutions involved in clinical research are more likely to offer the latest and most advanced treatment methods.
- Patient Care: Read reviews about the quality of patient care, including factors like communication with the medical team, support services, and post - treatment follow - up.
Conclusion
In New York City, the four institutions - NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia and NewYork - Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Breast Centers, Weill Cornell Breast Center, Columbia University Surgical Breast Care Program, and Montefiore Medical Center - Division of Breast Surgery - stand out as leading specialized institutions for axillary breast cryoablation. Each institution has its own strengths, whether it's accreditation, medical staff expertise, treatment options, or research involvement. By carefully considering the factors mentioned above, patients can make an informed decision about which institution is the best fit for their axillary breast cryoablation needs.
If you or someone you know is considering axillary breast cryoablation, take the time to research these institutions further, consult with their medical staff, and make the choice that gives you the best chance of a successful treatment outcome. Share this article with others who might find it helpful, and explore more about breast treatment options and these institutions' services.
