Oncology

We use cancer screening tools and diagnostic tests that incorporate innovative medical technology, including:

• Blue light cystoscopy — In this diagnostic procedure, doctors insert an agent into the bladder. The agent is then absorbed by any cancerous tissue and causes tumors to show up as fluorescent under blue light, making them much easier to see and remove during surgery.
• Endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy (EBUS) — This technique uses ultrasound along with advanced bronchoscopy imaging to reach deep into the lungs and perform a biopsy.
• Wireless needle localization — In this procedure, doctors place a small non-radioactive marker into a breast lump, which will be found later during the primary surgery using a magnetic probe. Because we use a wireless technique, you won't have to undergo this procedure on the day of surgery.

Breast reconstruction typically involves multiple stages, usually with a minimum of two surgeries. In most cases, the first surgery is the most intense, with subsequent surgeries usually performed as outpatient procedures.

Breast surgeries and autologous reconstruction — flap reconstruction surgery — procedures we provide include:

• Deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEP) flap
• Direct-to-implant
• Goldilocks procedure
• Hybrid reconstruction
• Immediate expander placement, followed by staged implant reconstruction
• Implant-based reconstruction
• Inferior gluteal artery perforator (IGAP) flap
• Latissimus flap surgery (with or without fat grafting)
• Lumbar artery perforator (LAP) flap
• Mastectomy
• Muscle-sparing TRAM (msTRAM) flap
• Superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap
• Superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) flap
• Transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap
• Transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flap

DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgery

DIEP flap microsurgical breast reconstruction is used to rebuild breasts after a mastectomy by using your own tissue. DIEP flaps transfer blood vessels, skin and fat from the lower abdomen to the chest. It is a two-phase surgical procedure. The two procedures are typically spaced about five to six months apart. During phase one, the tissue is transferred and a breast mound is shaped. In phase two, a revision of the abdominal donor site and breast shape is further refined.

Benefits of DIEP flap

While the DIEP flap is a longer surgery than other options, it has several advantages. Several studies show that autologous reconstruction has the highest general and aesthetic patient satisfaction. The ability to reconstruct without the need for implants or foreign bodies makes the results long-lasting and natural appearing. Over the last two decades, improvements, such as enhanced recovery protocols and increased operative efficiency, have decreased surgical and recovery times.

Our cancer and breast care programs also include nurse navigators, who provide you and your loved ones with support, guidance and education. We can help you maneuver through the process, and even facilitate care between you and the oncologists.