Minimally Invasive Breast Surgery

If either you or your doctor has found a suspicious lump in your breast which needs further evaluation or treatment, Cooper offers specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of breast lesions. We use the latest in minimally invasive diagnostic equipment, such as the ultrasound and mammotome, to make you more comfortable during your evaluation.

If it is necessary to remove a lesion in your breast, we can often remove small to medium-sized lesions through a very small incision near the nipple to minimize scarring. In the event of breast cancer, Cooper doctors sometimes perform the minimally invasive sentinel lymph node biopsy for further evaluation.

Evaluation Procedures for Breast Abnormalities

Ultrasound for Breast Lesion Evaluation
Ultrasound is a radiological study that can now be performed by our Breast Surgeons in the office. The ultrasound allows for a better, faster and a more complete evaluation of abnormalities that are found within the breasts. Patients can now have the study completed in the office without having to make an additional appointment with a radiology department. It has become the “Gold Standard” for breast surgeons.

Mammotome for Breast Lesion Biopsy and Removal
A mammotome is a machine that allows the breast surgeon to complete biopsies and removal of lesions in a patient’s breast. The procedure is minimally invasive and is performed with local anesthesia. The entire procedure is done through a small incision that is less than ONE centimeter. Patients need not go to the operating room and the majority of patients don’t require pain medications afterwards. The biopsy procedure usually takes less than an hour, and patients can often return to their normal daily activities immediately.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsies

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Breast Cancer
When breast cancer spreads, it usually spreads to the axillary lymph nodes. Within the lymph nodes, the sentinel nodes are where the cancer is most likely to spread. Sentinel node biopsy is a minimally invasive technique that allows analysis of the sentinel node. The sentinel node (the first lymph node draining a cancer) is identified during surgery after the injection of a radiolabeled tracer (technetium-99m labeled sulfer colloid) and colored dye (isosulfan blue) around the cancer. Sentinel node biopsy is often done as an outpatient procedure. It is very successful in identifying the sentinel node and allows precise evaluation of the axillary lymph gland.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Melanoma
Within the lymph nodes, the sentinel nodes are where the cancer is most likely to spread. Sentinel node biopsy is a minimally invasive technique that allows analysis of the sentinel node. The sentinel node (the first lymph node draining a cancer) is identified during surgery after the injection of a radiolabeled tracer (technetium-99m labeled sulfer colloid) and colored dye (isosulfan blue) around the cancer. Sentinel node biopsy is often done as an outpatient procedure. It is very successful in identifying the sentinel node and allows precise evaluation of the axillary lymph gland.

Doctors Who Perform These Minimally Invasive Procedures

• Umur M. Atabek, M.D.
• Karen J. Hendershott, M.D.
• Frank C. Koniges, M.D.
• Robert Mark Simons, M.D.