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Breast Cancer Center of Excellence
About the Breast Cancer Center of Excellence
At the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute’s Breast Cancer Center of Excellence, we offer some of the newest, most innovative care — including breast-conserving surgical techniques, nipple-sparing mastectomy, pinpoint accurate radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.
We also provide advanced options for diagnosing breast cancer, such as 3D mammography and MRI. These medical advances have changed the future for many women.
Our experienced team of breast cancer specialists includes:
- Breast surgeons.
- Medical oncologists.
- Radiation oncologists.
- Plastic surgeons.
- Genetic counselors.
- Pathologists.
- Radiologists.
- Nurse navigators.
- Physical therapists.
- Occupational therapists.
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Appointments
Cancer Institute(412) 578-HOPE
The country's leading breast cancer organizations have recognized the AHN Cancer Institute for our high-quality care, research, clinical trials, and positive outcomes. Some of the many prestigious organizations that have acknowledged us include:
- The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (Allegheny General Hospital, Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion, and Jefferson Hospital).
- American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer as an Integrated Network Cancer Program.
- The American College of Radiology.
- The American Society for Radiation Oncology.
The Breast Cancer Center of Excellence provides patients with diagnoses, innovative treatments, and access to ongoing clinical trials.
We use cutting-edge techniques to help treat breast cancer, such as:
- Nipple-sparing mastectomy: During this procedure, the breast tissue is removed but the skin and nipple are left intact.
- Stereotactic radiation treatment: This treatment uses radiation beams to target tumors in the breast.
- Minimally invasive robotic DIEP flap surgery: DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap surgery is a robot-assisted procedure that uses tissue from the lower abdomen to reconstruct the breast.
- Post-mastectomy Resensation®: This procedure is performed to restore sensation to the breast area after a mastectomy.
- Lymphovenous bypass: This is an innovative treatment that helps fluid drain more efficiently from the arm to reduce risk of arm swelling, or lymphedema.
- Reirradiation for in-breast recurrence: This is an external beam radiation therapy used after breast-conserving surgery for women with locally reoccurring breast cancer.
Innovative, personalized breast cancer care
At the AHN Breast Cancer Center of Excellence, we work with you to tailor a comprehensive treatment plan that meets your specific needs. Your team of breast cancer specialists may use a single treatment or a combination of therapies to give you the best results possible.
Glimmer of Hope Metastatic Breast Cancer Clinic
The Glimmer of Hope Metastatic Breast Cancer Clinic is dedicated to caring for patients with stage IV breast cancer with treatments, clinical trials, support, and resources.
Young Women's Breast Cancer Initiative
The Young Women’s Breast Cancer Initiative is a specialized program that cares for women diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. We have fertility specialists who help you choose options to preserve your ability to have children in the future.
Resensation® is a registered trademark of Axogen Corporation and is used with permission.
State-of-the-art breast cancer therapy
At the Breast Cancer Center of Excellence, you can access the most recent and innovative breast cancer care. Our team of specialists understands what it takes to battle breast cancer. We offer multiple forms of support, from diagnosis to recovery, through mental health services, nutrition counseling, genetic counseling, rehabilitation, and cardio-oncology care.
Precise diagnosis
Getting a precise diagnosis is the first step in developing your personalized treatment plan. We may recommend different tests to determine the location and stage of breast cancer. Some of the tests we perform include:
- Tomosynthesis: A 3D mammogram of the breast that can detect cancer at its earliest stage.
- Digital mammogram or full-field digital mammography (FFDM): A digital X-ray of the breast.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Radio waves and magnets create pictures of the breast. Contrast material is typically injected into a vein to show breast tissue details.
- Ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves are sent through the breast to create images.
- Image-guided breast biopsy: A sample of breast tissue is removed with a needle and examined for signs of breast cancer through a minimally invasive technique.
What to expect
The Breast Cancer Center of Excellence provides personalized care that meets your specific needs. We understand that battling cancer is more than just treating the body. That’s why we offer a holistic approach to your care from diagnosis to treatment.
Expert treatments and therapies
Surgeons at the Breast Cancer Center of Excellence use targeted techniques to effectively treat the disease. Our breast cancer center offers various types of breast cancer surgeries.
The Breast Cancer Center of Excellence also features multiple chemotherapy and infusion bays and individualized external beam radiation therapy options. Our expert oncology team determines dosing for maximum effectiveness and minimal side effects. They also provide immunotherapy to help patients fight the disease within their own bodies.
Medical oncology and radiation oncology may be used, along with surgery, to treat breast cancer. Some of the treatments offered at the AHN Medical Oncology Division include:
- Chemotherapy: We deliver strong medication to slow or stop the growth of cancer.
- Targeted therapy: These drugs target proteins on breast cancer cells and help stop the cancer from growing.
- Endocrine therapy: These drugs block the hormones that stimulate breast cancer.
- Immunotherapy: These vaccines or drugs help your own immune system fight the cancer cells.
Treatments offered by the AHN Radiation Oncology Division include:
- MR-Linac: This technology allows doctors to view tumor tissue in real time and adjust the radiation dose during the treatment.
- GammaPod®: This treatment uses a device to target radiation beams with pinpoint accuracy.
Dedicated navigation team
Our navigation team includes highly trained nurses, financial advocates, and other supportive care professionals to help plan your care. Our nurse navigators can help explain your treatment to you and your family, schedule appointments, coordinate your care from home, and provide you with emotional support throughout your cancer treatment journey.
We have a cancer nurse line dedicated to you and your loved ones. It's free to anyone, at any time, 24/7. Call (412) 578-HOPE (412) 578-4673 and a cancer nurse will answer your questions, schedule an appointment, and provide support. If you’re in Erie, call (814) 452-HOPE (814) 452-4673.
GammaPod® is a registered trademark of Xcision Medical Systems and used with permission.
Breast cancer specialists
The Breast Cancer Center of Excellence brings its group of leaders together regularly to discuss and decide on the right combination of therapies for you. We work with you to get an accurate diagnosis and create an effective treatment strategy based on your personal needs.
Chairperson
Leadership
Use Find Care for a list of breast surgeons.
Medical oncologists
Use Find Care for a list of medical oncologists.
Radiation oncologists
Use Find Care for a list of radiation oncologists.
Clinical trials
Clinical Trials Co-Lead
Medical Oncology/Clinical Trials Lead
Current active breast cancer clinical trials.
Pathologists
Use Find Care for a list of pathologists.
Other providers
- Kyla Morphy, CGC, Genetic Counselor
- Arlene Lis, RN, Nurse Navigator Lead
Search for all AHN providers who treat breast cancer and work as part of the Breast Cancer Center of Excellence on Find Care.
How to get care
If you want to be tested for or have been diagnosed with breast cancer, we’re here to help.
Do you have a breast concern?
Call (412) 578-HOPE (412) 578-4673 to schedule an appointment at any location within the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute or connect with a nurse navigator.
Schedule a screening
Schedule your annual mammogram today. Book my mammogram.
What to expect from your first appointment
Your nurse navigator and support professionals will guide you through the process, and doctors will explain everything and answer any questions you or your loved ones have.
Our locations
Visit our locations page to find a Cancer Institute location near you.
Breast cancer clinical trials and research
AHN specialists lead the NSABP Foundation, the world’s preeminent breast cancer research program. It’s one of the largest focusing on breast cancer clinical trials.
Leaders in breast cancer research
AHN researchers are always investigating more effective ways to fight cancer.
What is a clinical trial?
Clinical trials are studies that try to answer questions about new ways to treat cancer with medications, radiation, or surgical techniques. Previous trials have shown how new methods of treatment improve survival and quality of life, and reduce the risk of cancer returning.
You participate in a clinical trial only if you volunteer to do so and meet criteria for inclusion in the study. You can stop participating in a trial at any time.
Who can join a clinical trial?
The plan for the trial, called a protocol, explains what the trial will do and how the study will be done. Based on the questions the research is trying to answer, each clinical trial protocol outlines specific criteria necessary to be eligible to join the trial.
Common criteria for entering a trial are:
- Having a certain type or stage of cancer.
- Having received a certain kind of therapy in the past.
- Being in a certain age group.
Federal rules help ensure that clinical trials are run in an ethical manner, with your rights and safety protected. It’s to ensure that you’re not put at increased risk by participating in the trial, and that the results of the study are accurate and meaningful.
Conducting clinical trials helps us contribute to Cancer Moonshot — an initiative created by former President Joe Biden and the White House. The goal is to prevent more than 4 million cancer deaths by 2047 and improve the experience for people affected by cancer. We’re doing our part to join this fight by collaborating with more than 60 private companies, patient groups, academic institutions, and nonprofits.
Currently active breast cancer clinical trials
If you would like to participate in a clinical trial and help our innovative team discover groundbreaking cancer solutions, ask your doctor if you’re eligible to participate in one. See which breast cancer clinical trials are currently active and open for participation.
Refer your patient to an AHN Cancer Institute specialist
There are two ways for medical professionals, who are not a part of Allegheny Health Network, to refer their patients to an AHN Cancer Institute specialist and request their first appointment. You can:
- Call (412) 578-HOPE (412) 578-4673 to speak with an AHN Cancer Institute scheduling coordinator.
- Go to Find Care to find the right AHN specialist and the most convenient location. Then refer your patient, provide relevant patient details, and request an appointment directly from the doctor's profile.
For more information about referring your patient to an AHN specialist, read the Independent Physician Referral FAQs.
Follow your patient's health care at AHN with EpicCare® Link™
After referring your patient to an AHN specialist, use the EpicCare Link platform to collaborate with their AHN specialist, view your patient's test results, treatment plan, and progress.
If you are new to EpicCare Link, or need to request your own EpicCare Link account, read: EpicCare Link for Patient Follow-up, for user instructions and new account request forms.
When EpicCare Link is not an option for patient's AHN medical records
If you can’t access your patient's AHN test results through the EpicCare Link platform, your patient will need to complete and submit the correct AHN Medical Records Release form, based on their state of residency. Support your patient’s request by downloading the correct medical records release form for them:
EpicCare® is a registered trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.
EpicCare® Link™ is a trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.