At Einstein's Marion-Louise Saltzman Women's Center, we take a team approach to treating breast cancer. Working together, our breast cancer experts–radiologists, breast surgeons, oncologists, nurses and counselors–develop treatment plans that meet each of our patient's specific needs. Treatment plans are based upon the stage of the disease, targeting the tumor, the breast or the entire body.

To develop the most appropriate treatment plans for their patients, Einstein physicians order a number of studies. First, a pathologist will examine the biopsy specimen to identify the exact type of cancer cells that are in the breast. The next phase of diagnosis is called "staging." The stage of the disease is determined by the size of the breast tumor and by studies to see whether the cancer is confined to the breast or has traveled to other areas of the body.

If your cancer appears to be in the early stages, your work up will include a biopsy of the lymph nodes in the armpit to see if they contain any cancer cells. In the past, this always required the removal of a large fatty portion of tissue under the arm. However, at Einstein a newer procedure, known as sentinel node biopsy, is now all that is needed in many cases.

Sentinel node biopsy requires only a small incision and is much easier on patients than traditional methods of lymph node biopsy. Sentinel node biopsy examines the first or sentinel lymph node in the lymphatic chain, the series of lymph nodes located in the armpit. The sentinel node is the first lymph node to which the cancer would travel as it spread through the body. Traditional methods of lymph node biopsy may be associated with long-term swelling of the arm.

After these tests are complete, your doctor will recommend one or more of the following treatment approaches: