New Collaboration, New Technology Benefiting Breast Surgery Patients

Breast Health

UR Medicine Thompson Health’s breast surgery program is bringing together F.F. Thompson Hospital general surgeons who specialize in breast surgery with surgeons from University of Rochester Medical Center Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, enabling Thompson’s patients to streamline treatment following a breast cancer diagnosis.

At the same time, new technology at Thompson is benefiting local breast surgery patients as well.

Thanks to the new collaboration, when a patient is having their breast surgery at Thompson, they do not need to go to Rochester for a second, reconstructive surgery with a plastic surgeon. Instead, the reconstructive surgery can begin immediately after, so everything can be taken care of in one surgical experience. This allows patients to consolidate their pre-surgery appointments as well.

The new partnership, guided by the breast navigation team from Thompson’s Breast Imaging Center in Canandaigua, means all patients can be seen in one location, the Thompson Professional Building at 395 West St. in Canandaigua.

Dr. Howard N. Langstein, chief of URMC Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, now has an office in the UR Medicine Specialty Suite on the ground floor of the building. In the Advanced Surgical Services suite on the third floor are Thompson’s general surgeons, including Drs. Andrew Powers and Theodor Kaufman, both board-certified surgeons who treat patients with breast cancer.

Langstein said he is pleased to bring URMC’s plastic surgery services to Thompson, for the convenience of its patients.

“The ideal situation is that patients facing a mastectomy for breast cancer can undergo most, if not all of their reconstructive surgery on the same day that the cancer is removed. Women can immediately experience the benefits of breast reconstruction as they go through and complete their treatment, and begin to feel restored. Doing these surgeries at Thompson is a big benefit to our patients,” he said.

Meanwhile, Thompson recently became among the first in the region to offer Savi Scout® radar localization technology to treat women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

The technology makes lumpectomies easier for both patients and their surgeons by pinpointing tumors before surgery. Surgeons are able to go directly to the abnormality during surgery and then more precisely and effectively remove the entire tumor. This can help to:

• Limit the amount of healthy breast tissue removed
• Decrease the amount of time spent in the hospital
• Reduce the need for a second surgery
• Reduce discomfort and anxiety

Traditional wire localization of a tumor involves a wire sticking out of the breast, often for several hours prior to surgery.

Instead of a wire, Savi Scout® uses a reflector that is approximately the size of a grain of rice. It can be placed in the tumor up to 30 days prior to surgery. It is not visible externally, and placement does not restrict movement. Its technology guides the surgeon to the precise site of the tumor, increasing the likelihood of complete tumor removal. In addition, making a smaller incision and limiting the removal of healthy breast tissue can result in optimal cosmetic results.

For more information, visit www.ThompsonHealth.com/BreastSurgery. To speak with a breast navigation nurse, call the Breast Imaging Center at (585) 396-6651. To speak with a general surgeon specializing in breast surgery, call F.F. Thompson Hospital Advanced Surgical Services at (585) 978-8350.