Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a common cancer affecting breast tissue and is often detected early through screening mammography. Surgery is a central part of treatment—either removing the tumor with breast conservation or removing the breast tissue when indicated.
At The Medical Group of New Jersey, we provide thoughtful surgical planning and coordinate closely with oncology and radiation therapy teams to support the best possible outcome.
Symptom Onset & Initial Evaluation
Breast cancer is often detected during routine screening before any symptoms develop. In other cases, patients may notice changes in the breast that prompt further evaluation.
Common signs that may lead to evaluation include:
- A new breast lump or area of thickening
- Changes in breast shape, size, or skin texture
- Nipple inversion or unusual nipple discharge
- Persistent pain or discomfort in one area of the breast
During your first visit, your breast surgeon will carefully review your imaging studies and medical history, including family history and potential risk factors. A focused breast and lymph node examination is also performed to assess the area of concern and determine whether additional diagnostic testing is needed.
Diagnosis
If breast cancer is suspected, additional testing is performed to confirm the diagnosis and better understand the characteristics of the tumor.
Diagnostic evaluation may include:
- Diagnostic mammography for more detailed breast imaging
- Targeted breast ultrasound to evaluate specific areas of concern
- Breast MRI, which may be recommended in selected cases for further evaluation or surgical planning
- Image-guided core needle biopsy, which removes a small sample of tissue for laboratory analysis
- Pathology testing, which determines the tumor type, grade, and receptor status (such as hormone receptors and HER2 status)
These results provide critical information that helps guide treatment decisions and determine the most appropriate surgical approach.
Treatment & Ongoing Management
Breast cancer treatment is personalized based on several factors, including tumor size, location, stage, and biological characteristics. Your surgeon will also consider your overall health and personal preferences when discussing treatment options.
Surgical treatment may include:
- Lumpectomy, also known as breast-conserving surgery, which removes the tumor along with a margin of surrounding healthy tissue
- Mastectomy, which removes breast tissue and may include skin-sparing or nipple-sparing techniques when appropriate
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy, a procedure used to determine whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes
In many cases, surgery is combined with additional therapies such as radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted treatments. These therapies are coordinated with oncology specialists to provide comprehensive cancer care.
Follow-Up Care
After treatment, ongoing follow-up care is important for recovery and long-term monitoring.
Your follow-up plan may include:
- Post-operative visits to monitor healing and recovery after surgery
- Coordination with oncology and radiation therapy teams for additional treatments when recommended
- Regular surveillance imaging, such as mammography, to monitor breast health and detect any future changes
With careful follow-up and coordinated care, many patients can return to their normal routines while maintaining confidence in their long-term breast health.