Personalized Medicine: Advancing Breast Cancer Treatment at Penn
Cancer centers across the country use similar treatment techniques consisting of medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgical oncology. Some centers, including Penn cheap cialis have the resources to advance cancer care to the next level. The following information reviews the latest breast cancer treatment options at Penn Medicine.
Penn Medicine offers two locations for breast health care, The Rena Rowan Breast Center at the Abramson Cancer Center and The Integrated Breast Center at Pennsylvania Hospital. These centers are staffed by leading specialists in the fields of medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology - all working in close collaboration with one another and supported by Breast Imaging Services and Survivorship Planning Services.
Both centers have a weekly tumor review board meeting where physicians from across specialties come together to review and discuss the best treatment options for each patient. Depending on the tumor and type of breast cancer, the team may recommend one treatment, or may use multiple approaches for the best outcome.
“The advantage to our patients is not only an integrated team of doctors and nurses, but also that they specialize in breast cancer,” says Kevin Fox, MD, director, Rena Rowan Breast Center. “This, combined with an outstanding supportive care program, allows us to address all of our patient’s needs throughout their cancer experience.”
Medical Oncology
Penn’s medical oncologists administer medications such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy, as well as oversee the patient’s overall cancer care. Leaders in developing new targeted therapies, Penn's medical oncologists are currently combining personalized care with personalized medicine to create targeted immunotherapies for the treatment of breast cancer.
Radiation Oncology
Radiation treatment uses X-rays or other high energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Penn radiation oncologists use special techniques to maximize the impact of radiation on the tumor and minimize the effect on normal surrounding body tissue. They may incorporate the latest therapies, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and Mammosite® therapy. Penn radiation oncologists have an international reputation for developing alternatives tomastectomy in the treatment of early stage breast cancer.
Surgical Oncology
Breast surgeons at Penn Medicine deal almost exclusively with breast cancer and other disorders of the breast. They have helped to promote breast-conserving therapy and reconstructive surgery among colleagues in plastic surgery. Penn’s breast surgeons have been involved with research endeavors that have changed the national standards with regard to the management of breast cancer and are pioneering the use of vaccine and cell-based therapies for the treatment of breast cancer.
Research Advances
Through its Breast Cancer Research Program, one of the few programs of its kind approved and funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Penn has pioneered treatments for breast cancer that are now practiced throughout the world. Every day, Penn scientists conduct research that leads them closer to learning the causes of breast cancer and to developing new treatments.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 800-789-PENN or visit PennMedicine.org/cancer.