Lahey Cancer Institute
Clinical experts of Lahey Cancer Institute offer research, training and education in addition to personalized patient care using advanced treatments at locations convenient to you.
Breast Cancer Care
Advanced treatments and personalized support for you and your family
Advanced Cancer Services at Our Comprehensive Breast Health Centers
At Lahey Clinic, our expert team of specialists provides a full range of high-quality, comprehensive breast cancer care. Our patient focus assures you are treated with respect and compassion every step of the way.
Dealing with cancer is hard enough without having to travel far for treatment. That’s why we’re committed to bringing our premier services and renowned expertise right to your community with accredited breast centers throughout the state.
We’ve successfully united a network of outstanding providers of cancer care in northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Our care delivery is marked by advanced diagnostic and treatment options, along with team collaboration and coordination.
Our goal is to offer you the complete care you need close to home. You can feel confident that you are in expert hands at the right place with Lahey.
Accredited Breast Cancer Care
All breast cancer treatment sites throughout the Lahey health system are fully certified by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). Lahey’s Comprehensive Breast Health Center is one of few in Massachusetts to earn this distinction.
Accredited centers have shown a commitment to quality care and safety. This national consortium monitors outcomes for patients with breast cancer and other breast diseases.
After an intensive review process, we also earned a full accreditation with commendation from The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Through a rigorous evaluation process and review of performance, this accreditation shows that we provide the highest level of quality cancer care.
In addition, all of the radiation therapy sites within the Lahey health system are accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR). This accreditation ensures you get high quality and safe radiology services.
More About Breast Cancer Care
Types of Breast Cancer
At Lahey, we provide services and treatment for men and women with all types of breast cancer, including:
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
A non-invasive condition where abnormal (pre-cancerous) cells are found only within the milk ducts of the breast. These abnormal cells have not spread to the surrounding tissue. It is often called Stage 0 (zero) breast cancer and is highly treatable.
Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)
As the most common type of breast cancer, IDC starts in the milk ducts and has broken through the duct walls and spread (invaded) into the nearby fatty breast tissue. From there, it has the potential to spread to other parts of the body.
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS)
A condition involving abnormal cell growth in the breast’s milk-producing glands (lobules). It isn’t considered cancer, but is a risk factor or marker that increases your risk of developing invasive breast cancer during your lifetime.
Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma (ILC)
The second most common type of invasive breast cancer, ILC starts in the milk glands (lobules) and spreads into the surrounding breast tissue. It often grows in a scattered pattern, which can make it harder to detect as a distinct lump on a mammogram.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)
A rare and aggressive type of breast cancer where cancer cells block the lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast. This causes the breast to appear red, swollen, warm and with a pitted texture, usually without forming a distinct lump.
Paget’s Disease
A rare form of breast cancer that affects the skin of the nipple and the surrounding dark area (areola). Symptoms often resemble a persistent rash, eczema or dermatitis, including flaking, crusty skin, itching, and sometimes yellowish or bloody discharge. It is usually linked to an underlying cancer in the same breast.
Phyllodes Tumors
Rare tumors that form in the connective (stromal) tissue of the breast, rather than the ducts or glands. They tend to grow quickly and are classified as mostly benign (non-cancerous), borderline or malignant (cancerous).
Other Conditions
We also provide expert care for other benign (non-cancerous) breast conditions.
Advanced Breast Screening & Diagnosis
Lahey breast oncology experts rely on advanced technology to properly screen and accurately diagnose breast conditions. These tools include:
Breast Cancer Treatments & Clinical Trials
Comprehensive Breast Cancer Treatments
Your breast cancer care team will collaborate to develop a personalized treatment plan for you. At Lahey, you have access to a wide range of therapies, including the most innovative treatment options for breast cancer and recovery. Some of our advanced tools and techniques include:
- 3D digital mammography with computer-assisted detection (CAD)
- Breast MRI
- Breast ultrasound
- Genetic counseling and risk assessment
- Minimally invasive breast biopsies
- Numerous surgical options
- State-of-the-art treatment of cancerous and non-cancerous breast diseases
- Targeted radiation
- And others
Breast Cancer Clinical Trials and Research
In addition to conducting our own cancer clinical trials and research, Lahey also provides broad access to breast cancer clinical trials throughout the greater Boston area. This allows you to join in the latest research without having to journey far from home.
Multidisciplinary Support & Personalized Navigation
At Lahey, you’ll benefit from an expert breast cancer team with caring and experienced providers. Your care team may include a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including from:
Each of these experts has extensive experience in breast cancer. You’ll meet with all of them during one comprehensive visit. You will have plenty of time to ask questions and learn more about your care. We’re all dedicated to your cancer treatment and well-being. Patients with breast cancer benefit from access to expertise from our larger Lahey cancer team.
We want to make sure you have a clear understanding of what to expect from the best and most appropriate treatment options for you. Your care team continually monitors your progress and makes changes to your treatment plan as needed.
Nurse Navigators
After your first consultation, you’re assigned a cancer nurse navigator. Nurse navigators at Lahey are nurse practitioners who have special training and certification as breast health navigators.
Your nurse navigator will help you:
- Find answers to all of your questions.
- Coordinate your appointments.
- Identify resources in the hospital or in the community to enhance your care.
- Interpret clinical information.
- Provide emotional support for you and your family members.
Ongoing Breast Cancer Rehab, Support and Survivorship
Our commitment to your health doesn’t end when your treatment ends. Our care for you extends well beyond the day you have surgery or ring the final treatment bell. We are committed to helping you maintain good breast health to remain cancer free throughout your lifetime.
We offer continued rehab, support and survivorship programs for you, your caregivers and family members.
Meet the Experts
At Lahey, you will benefit from an expert breast cancer team with caring and experienced providers. Your care team may include patient navigators, certified oncology nurses, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, cancer surgeons, technicians, and technologists, all dedicated to your cancer treatment and well-being. Here we introduce you to the physician specialists on our breast cancer care teams.
