Experts from Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care are Available for Interviews: Breast Cancer Team
Newswise — New York, NY (June 14, 2011) – At Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care, a multi-disciplinary team of experts help women with the many aspects of this disease and are available for interviews on the latest research, clinical trials, surgical techniques, imaging and advances in treatments for breast cancer.
SURGICAL ONCOLOGY:
Leslie Montgomery, Chief of the Division of Breast Surgery, Director of the Breast Service, Montefiore-Einstein Center for Cancer CareAs an Attending Surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for over 11 years, Dr. Montgomery worked extensively investigating the accuracy of sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer patients in a variety of clinical scenarios. She is currently the institution Principal Investigator for ACOSOG Z-1071 which is investigating the accuracy of sentinel node after chemotherapy. She has collaborated with the Department of Radiation Oncology to establish a protocol for partial breast radiotherapy for patients receiving breast conservation. She is currently focused on work involving disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in underserved and minority communities.
Lisa S. Wiechmann, MD, Division of Breast SurgeryA main area of concern for women undergoing surgery for the removal of axillary lymph nodes is post-surgical arm swelling called lymphedema. This condition can limit a woman’s daily activities and cause disfigurement. Lisa Wiechmann, MD, is enrolling women in a pilot randomized trial of bioimpedence measurements to determine the best method to detect lymphedema before symptoms occur and, hopefully, reverse the process. Dr. Wiechmann also runs the MECCC Special Surveillance Breast Program for women who are at high-risk for the development of breast cancer. Dr. Wiechmann is also the institution PI for ECOG 2108 which is a clinical trial investigating the role of breast surgery on the overall survival of patients with stage IV breast cancer.
MEDICAL ONCOLOGY: Joseph Sparano, MD, Associate Chairman of the Department of OncologyJoseph Sparano, MD, is a member of a research team that has developed a new gene expression test for preinvasive breast cancer. Currently, he is the lead investigator in a national clinical trial called TAILORx, which integrates a gene expression profiling test in clinical decision making in invasive breast cancer treatment. In addition, Dr. Sparano has been widely quoted in the media in opposition to the FDA’s revocation of the use of Avastin for breast cancer treatment. He is the Chair of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Breast Cancer Steering Committee and a member of the NCI Breast Cancer Steering Committee. Eleni Andreopoulou, MD, Department of Medical OncologyEleni Andreopoulou, MD, is continuing her work from MD Anderson and is studying the response of tumors pre-operatively to chemotherapy and other treatments. The goal is to tailor therapies to the clinical pathology and molecular and genetic makeup of locally advanced tumors. She is also the institution PI of a clinical trial investigating the efficacy of Veliparib in patients with Stage IV breast cancer.
Christine Pellegrino, MD, Department of Medical OncologyA new Breast Cancer Survivorship Program has been introduced at the Montefiore-Einstein Center for Cancer Care for women who are out at least two years from diagnosis. Pioneered by Christine Pellegrino, MD, this program focuses on issues faced by cancer survivors including treatment related to long-term side effects such as heart, thyroid and neurologic complications. In addition, psychosocial issues such as body image, sexual issues, and fears of having cancer are addressed. RADIATION ONCOLOGY: Jana Fox, MD, Department of Radiation OncologyRadiation oncologists such as Jana Fox, MD, are proponents of prone breast irradiation as a way of protecting healthy tissue during radiation therapy. The technique involves a patient laying comfortably on their stomachs, allowing the breast to be "separated" from the rest of the body. She is also the institution Principal Investigator of NSABP-B43 which is a clinical trial investigating whether the drug Herceptin can improve the outcome of patient with ductal carcinoma in-situ following lumpectomy and radiotherapy.
RADIOLOGY:
Tova Koenigsberg, MD, Chief of the Division of Breast ImagingDr. Koenigsberg and her division screen tens of thousands of women each year for breast cancer through their screening mammography program. In addition, dedicated mammographers provide diagnostic evaluation of patients with a history of breast cancer or patients presenting with a new breast finding. Their state of the art mammography centers include digital mammography, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI.
PATIENT ADVOCACY/LEGISLATION:
Evan Garfein, MD, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryEvan Garfein, MD, was instrumental in the passage of a 2010 New York State law requiring hospitals and doctors to inform breast cancer patients of the options for breast reconstruction before surgery. When he became aware of research that demonstrated women in underserved areas are less likely to be told about breast reconstruction prior to undergoing mastectomy than women in wealthier areas, he felt it was imperative for all patients to be educated about their reconstruction options. PATIENT NAVIGATORS:
Maureen Patrickakos, RN, MSN, OCNNurse Maureen Patrickakos is an Oncology Patient Navigator helping patients understand the complexities of breast cancer treatment. Working closely with surgical and medical oncologists, she ensures that each patient is fully prepared and thoroughly understands each procedure, from initial testing through surgery and discussion of treatment options and plans. She helps patients understand the option of clinical trials if they fit the criteria for entry. Ms. Patrickakos uses Spanish interpreters to navigate a large number of Hispanic patients through the process of breast cancer treatment. Moreover, using a data base, she tracks patient follow-up care to maintain continuity.
PSYCHOSOCIAL ONCOLOGY PROGRAM: Alyson Moadel, Ph.D, Director of Psychosocial Oncology Program at Albert Einstein Cancer Center and Department of Medical OncologyThe Psychosocial Oncology Program, housed within the Einstein Cancer Center, promotes quality of life among those affected by cancer in the underserved and ethnically diverse community of the Bronx. The program called The Bronx Oncology Living Daily (or B.O.L.D.) offers a variety of free services including individual counseling, stress management, yoga, spiritual groups and smoking cessation counseling.
Elizabeth Salgado, LMSWSocial worker Elizabeth Salgado leads a weekly support group, Mujeres Unidas (Women United), which helps Hispanic women cope with breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. The group is a collaborative effort between the Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care and Gilda’s Club and is sponsored by the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure. Within this group the women can speak their native language, support and educate one another.
Gloria Nelson, LMSWWith the guidance of senior oncology social worker Gloria Nelson, Strength through Laughter groups have been meeting once a month at the Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center in the Bronx for the past five years. The program is usually attended by 35-40 adult cancer patients, nearly half of them in the late stages of the disease. Group members say that laughter can help them come to terms with their disease. Though researchers are not certain of the effect laughter has on the course of cancer, medical experts agree that laughter promotes a sense of well-being, and improves muscle function and breathing.
RESEARCH:
Clinical TrialsThe MECCC Breast Team is involved in many investigator-initiated and multi-institutional clinical trials including many phase II and phase III trials investigating new agents for pre-operative chemotherapy, post-operative chemotherapy, post-operative hormonal therapy, and post-operative targeted biologic agents.
Basic ScienceA strong relationship exists between the MECCC Breast Team and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. As such, the team collaborates with a number of basic scientists looking for breast cancer tumor markers and markers of a tumor’s potential for metastasis.
Montefiore Medical CenterAs the University Hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore is a premier academic medical center nationally renowned for its clinical excellence, scientific discovery and commitment to its community. Recognized among the top hospitals nationally and ranked sixth out of 180 in the New York metropolitan area by U.S. News & World Report, Montefiore provides compassionate, patient- and family-centered care and educates the healthcare professionals of tomorrow. The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore is consistently named in U.S. News’ “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals,” and is second among those in the New York metro area. With four hospitals, 1,491 beds and 93,000 annual hospital discharges, Montefiore is an integrated health system seamlessly linked by advanced health information technology. State-of-the-art primary and specialty care is provided through a network of nearly 100 locations across the region, including the largest school health program in the nation and a home health program. Montefiore, inspired by its patients and its community, continues to be on the frontlines of developing innovative approaches to care.
For more information please visit www.montefiore.org and www.montekids.org.
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