Overview
At Cleveland Clinic in Florida, we provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of all breast cancers. Our specialists design a customized breast cancer treatment program built around your unique needs and health goals. You can expect thorough and responsive care from a highly specialized team of breast cancer experts.
Breast Cancer Care at Cleveland Clinic in Florida: Why Choose Us?
At Cleveland Clinic in Florida, you’re at the center of everything we do. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained breast cancer specialists provide:
- Care that’s focused on you: We make sure you have the information you need to make the best decisions for your health. Our experts get to know you so we can understand your health goals before recommending your individualized treatment plan. We review your diagnosis and discuss options so that together, we can design the treatment program that’s right for you.
- Collaborative approach: You see our team of cancer specialists, many of whom focus specifically on breast cancers. Your team may include breast surgeons, genetic counselors, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, breast cancer pathologists and reconstructive surgeons.
- Leading-edge technologies: Our specialists use the most advanced technology available to increase your comfort and inform your care. We help you visualize life after treatment with 3D technology that shows what you’ll look like after breast reconstruction.
- Advanced surgical options: Our surgeons evaluate you to determine if nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction is right for you. We do everything we can to preserve your appearance and give you choices in our breast cancer program.
- Nationally recognized expertise: Our program has received national accreditation for expertise in diagnosing and treating breast cancer. Learn more about our awards and recognition.
Diagnosis & Testing
If you are at an increased risk for breast cancer, you’ll find complete care at one of Cleveland Clinic’s cancer centers in Florida. Our breast imaging specialists, oncologists, pathologists and surgeons work together to detect and treat breast cancer. We determine tumor size and location (cancer stage) — and whether cancer has spread (metastasized) — to inform your treatment. Tests we perform include:
Breast imaging
Our breast imaging specialists use advanced technologies to detect and diagnose suspicious areas within breast tissue. We use:
- Breast ultrasound.
- Mammograms, including 3D mammograms (digital breast tomosynthesis).
- MRI of the breast.
Breast biopsy
Our experts use breast biopsy to identify breast cancer and develop a personalized plan to treat it. We use specialized biopsy techniques to retrieve tissue samples for our breast cancer pathologists to examine. When cancer cells are present, we identify the molecular makeup of the cells to determine the breast cancer type and the appropriate treatment plan. Biopsies we may perform include:
- Fine needle aspiration: Specialists take a small tissue or fluid sample using a thin needle.
- Core needle biopsy: Experts use a hollow needle to remove a larger tissue sample from your breast.
- Surgical biopsy: Surgeons remove either a large tissue sample or the entire breast mass during surgery. Surgical biopsy may also include removing lymph nodes to see if cancer has spread.
Genetic testing for breast cancer
If you have a family history of breast cancer, our trained genetic counselors help you understand your cancer risk. We do a full panel of genetic tests, including BRCA testing. These tests indicate if you have changes (mutations) to genes that put you at higher risk for breast and other cancers.
During diagnosis, our genetic experts test tumor cell samples to learn whether genetic mutations are present. These tests give our experts information about the tumor’s molecular profile. We use what we learn to create your personalized treatment plan.
Immunohistochemistry testing
Some breast cancer cells have proteins called receptors. Hormones attach to these receptors and help cancer grow. Cells that contain receptors are called hormone receptive-positive cancers or estrogen-dependent cancer. Cells that don’t contain receptors are called hormone receptor-negative cancers.
Our breast cancer pathologists examine cancer cells to see if they contain hormone receptors. We use this information to decide how to treat you.
Treatment
Every member of our multispecialty breast cancer team plays a role in your care. We meet in weekly tumor board meetings to review images and test results. We share our expertise and discuss the most effective treatment options for you.
We use what we know about the stage, genetic profile and hormone receptor status of cancer to design your treatment. You may have:
Systemic therapy for breast cancer
Our medical oncologists specialize in treating breast cancer. We use medications that attack cancer cells throughout the body in different ways, including:
Radiation therapy for breast cancer
Our radiation oncology experts use leading-edge technologies to keep you safe and comfortable during radiation therapy. We use specialized devices to protect your heart from potential radiation damage if you have cancer in your left breast. We also use the shortest radiation course possible and specific techniques to protect your health and improve appearance, such as:
- External beam partial breast radiation: We treat only part of the breast to help avoid the development of fibrosis (hard areas) near the surgery site.
- Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT): During intraoperative radiation therapy, radiation oncologists treat affected tissue with a high radiation dose. You have this treatment before the surgeon closes the incision.
Surgery for breast cancer
The surgeons at Cleveland Clinic in Florida provide several breast cancer surgery options. We use the most precise procedure to treat cancer and preserve healthy tissue. You may have:
- Lumpectomy (partial mastectomy).
- Mastectomy.
- Modified radical mastectomy (removal of the breast and lymph nodes under the arm).
We use advanced techniques to save as much healthy breast tissue as possible, including:
- Nipple-sparing mastectomy: Surgeons remove breast tissue but preserve your areola and nipple if there’s no cancer present in these areas. When you undergo breast reconstruction, the surgeon uses your natural areola and nipple.
- Skin-sparing mastectomy: Surgeons preserve the skin over your breast to reduce scar tissue. Preserving your skin allows for more natural breast reconstruction.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Cleveland Clinic in Florida offers breast reconstruction as part of your personalized breast cancer treatment plan. We talk with you about options to preserve your appearance. Your surgeon collaborates with a reconstructive surgeon (plastic surgeon) to provide immediate breast reconstruction and resensation after breast tumor removal. You may have:
- Implant-based reconstruction: Surgeons insert a silicone gel or saline breast implant to shape your breast.
- Nipple reconstruction: Experts create a new nipple using skin from somewhere else on your body.
- Tissue-based reconstruction (flap reconstruction): Specialists use tissue from your buttocks, stomach or thigh to shape your breast.
Appointments & Locations
Make an appointment at one of our Cleveland Clinic locations in Florida, or schedule a virtual visit.
Locations
Schedule A Mammogram
Cleveland Clinic Florida makes it easy and convenient to schedule your mammogram by providing many imaging centers throughout South Florida and the Treasure Coast. When it comes to your health, don’t delay and make your mammogram appointment today.
Mammography Locations
Support & Resources
Your breast cancer patient navigator is your personal resource for everything you need during treatment. They help with managing appointments, coordinating treatment and answering any questions you have. Cleveland Clinic in Florida provides a range of cancer palliative and supportive care services for you and your loved ones. We keep your needs top of mind in everything we do.
