Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer we treat at the Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute. Our experience from treating more than 500 women each year translates to an exceptional level of care. From clinical trials to experienced breast surgeons, we help you get more of the care you need close to home.
Breast cancer symptoms
The most common breast cancer symptom is a lump you can feel by pressing gently on your breast. Other symptoms of breast cancer include:
- Nipples that turn inward
- Discharge from your nipples that is not breast milk
- Breast skin that has dimpling similar to an orange peel
- Swollen breasts
Breast cancer care at Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute
Our team includes surgeons who have completed additional training (fellowships) in breast surgery. This level of training helps us get rid of the cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Meet our breast cancer team.
We get your treatment off to a good start with a visit to our multidisciplinary breast cancer clinic. You meet with multiple cancer experts, including a breast surgeon and radiation oncologist. You also receive a personalized treatment plan.
Treatments for breast cancer
We help you get the personalized care you deserve with the help of tumor boards. During these meetings, doctors specializing in all aspects of breast cancer treatment meet to carefully plan every step of your care journey. Your care plan may include:
Breast surgery
We may remove just the portion of the breast affected by cancer. If there is a high likelihood cancer will spread or come back, we may recommend removing the entire breast (mastectomy). Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is first in the region to offer Hidden Scar™ breast surgery as an option for women who have lumpectomy or nipple sparing mastectomy. Get more information about cancer surgery.
Reconstructive surgery
Our surgeons help you maintain a natural appearance after cancer surgery with breast reconstruction surgery. We offer experience in all the latest techniques, including implants and tissue flap procedures, so you have many options to choose from.
Radiation therapy
For breast cancers on the left side near the heart, we offer radiation therapy in the prone, or face-down, position. This technique allows the breast to come away from the chest so that radiation beams reach the cancer and not the heart or lung.
Cancer drugs (chemotherapy and immunotherapy)
We offer the latest available drugs to treat your cancer. We recommend the options that are best for your unique needs and tailor doses to help you get the most out of treatment with the least side effects. Get more information about chemotherapy and immunotherapy.