The Ashikari Breast Center at The Dobbs Ferry Pavilion of St. John's Riverside Hospital made an
announcement of its participation in the groundbreaking TARGiT intra-operative radiotherapy trial that may spotlight the care for early breast cancer. “Our main priority is to provide our patients with timely, compassionate and thorough breast cancer care. These major medical advancements look promising in helping to reduce both the physical and lifestyle impact that these treatments have on women's lives”
It was found in the landmark TARGiT study that only one single dose of radiation, delivered directly to the site of the tumor after undergoing lumpectomy, was as effective as undergoing the six to seven weeks of daily radiation treatments that most women now endure. This technique also precisely targets the radiation to the area of concern, helping to avoid "geographic misses". As well as involving a much smaller radiation dose, thereby reducing toxicity and eliminating certain side effects, such as cosmetic reactions. Another study, of which the Center also participated, found certain women undergoing a lumpectomy may not need to remove their underarm lymph nodes, which can leave them with painfully swollen arms. Research found that when compared with not removing the nodes, the surgery did not prolong survival or prevent recurrence of the cancer.
The most innovative surgical approaches for women at high-risk for breast cancer due to familial genetics, was also pioneered by the center. The surgical technique is a breast reconstruction technique that preserves a woman's nipples during a mastectomy. This procedure eliminates the typical months of waiting for a second reconstructive surgery after mastectomy. As well as providing the most powerful risk-reduction strategy for high-risk patients, while at the same time achieving an extremely positive cosmetic result. "Our main priority is to provide our patients with timely, compassionate and thorough breast cancer care. These major medical advancements look promising in helping to reduce both the physical and lifestyle impact that these treatments have on women's lives," said Andrew Ashikari, M.D., FACS, Ashikari Breast Center.