October 26, 2005
Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center team to demonstrate multidisciplinary treatment for breast cancer during Webcast
Webcast features unique regional anesthesia technique and educates on benefits of preoperative chemotherapy in conjunction with breast preserving surgery
A Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center (DF/BWCC) treatment team will use a Webcast on Thursday, Oct. 27, to demonstrate to viewers their multidisciplinary approach to treating breast cancer. This approach will show how DF/BWCC brings together pathology, radiology, surgical oncology, medical oncology and radiation oncology to treat breast cancer. The Webcast will highlight a core needle biopsy, preoperative chemotherapy, and demonstrate live the use of regional anesthesia (para-vertebral block) - a technique frequently used at DF/BWCC for breast and axillary surgery (removal of lymph nodes under the arms).
In addition, the Webcast will emphasize different approaches to axillary dissection and breast preserving surgery after preoperative chemotherapy. Medical professionals, those interested in CME credits, and the general public are invited to log on to the Webcast at 4:30 p.m. EDT by visiting http://www.or-live.com/BrighamandWomens/1373/ . There, viewers can watch the procedure and participate in a live online question and answer session.
Breast surgeon Beth Lesnikoski, MD, will be performing a complex breast-preserving procedure, with Morana Lasic, MD, and Mercedes Concepcion, MD, facilitating the regional anesthesia. The biopsies will be performed prior to the live Webcast with the assistance of radiologist Robyn Birdwell, MD. In addition, medical oncologists on the team will administer preoperative chemotherapy. This represents a change in "traditional" treatments in which chemotherapy is commonly administered only after surgery. J. Dirk Iglehart, MD, chief of Surgical Oncology, will narrate the Webcast.
"The multidisciplinary approach to treatment allows a team of medical professionals to better target the many types of breast cancer and improve outcomes for patients," said Iglehart. "This Webcast underscores the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital's medical and surgical team's rich experience and highlights the end result of a successful collaboration - a tailored treatment plan based on the type of breast cancer our patient is battling. Survival is our ultimate goal, and we believe this approach will ultimately help increase survival rates of women with breast cancer."
An estimated 211,240 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. during 2005; it is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
"Breast cancer is a highly individualized disease that requires a well-coordinated team approach to best treat the patient," said Lesnikoski. "This Webcast will directly demonstrate the contributions of the different disciplines, highlight new techniques-including regional anesthesia and preoperative chemotherapy-and novel approaches to breast preservation and ultimately demonstrate how, with these treatments combined, we can improve outcomes for our patients."
For this surgery, camera crews will film the procedure in one of Brigham and Women's state-of-the-art operating rooms. To learn more and to view the Webcast, please visit http://www.or-live.com/BrighamandWomens/1373/.