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Breast cancer among Japanese women is increasing year by year, and now accounts for one in ten cases. Furthermore, compared to other cancers, it is more common among younger women, and is a disease that is increasing among women in the busiest generation, who are busy with work, childcare, housework, etc. On the other hand, breast cancer is also a disease that is easy to cure if detected early.
Since its opening in April 2006, the Breast Surgery Department has provided comprehensive medical care, from breast cancer diagnosis to surgery, drug treatment, post-recurrence treatment, and palliative care. Aiming to further enhance our services, we established the Kitano Hospital Breast Center on April 1, 2014. This has enabled us to unite medical professionals involved in breast cancer treatment and develop a stronger cooperative system that allows for cross-disciplinary team medical care through collaboration between multiple departments and professions. As a central player in this system, the Breast Surgery Department strives to seamlessly provide the most advanced, compassionate, and optimal breast cancer treatment to as many patients as possible.
There are a variety of breast diseases, but for patients, the biggest concern is whether or not it is breast cancer. When breast cancer is suspected based on mammography, ultrasound, or other diagnostic tests, we rapidly make a definitive diagnosis through microscopic pathological examinations such as fine needle aspiration cytology and mammotome biopsy (needle biopsy), and we classify breast cancer into four groups and determine the appropriate treatment for each group. We also use the latest dedicated breast MRI to diagnose the extent of disease within the breast and CT to diagnose the extent of disease throughout the body (to other organs and lymph node metastasis), and then decide on detailed, individualized treatment. Recently, we have also been using genetic testing (Oncotype DX) to determine treatment methods for those who request it.
Our breast cancer treatment combines various treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and molecular targeted therapy, with the aim of curing breast cancer, reducing the risk of recurrence, and improving symptoms. We perform breast-conserving surgery for patients with 80% or higher. We also actively incorporate neoadjuvant chemotherapy into initial treatment, and in some cases have succeeded in almost completely eliminating breast cancer within six months (see photo). This not only expands the possibilities for breast-conserving therapy but also helps prevent recurrence. In cases where preoperative imaging diagnostics such as CT scans indicate a low possibility of lymph node metastasis, we perform intraoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy (removal of approximately four lymph nodes to which breast cancer cells first metastasize) and omit lymph node dissection. Since 2010, we have been working with plastic surgeons to perform oncoplastic surgery, which takes into account not only cure potential but also cosmetic outcomes. For recurrent treatment, we consult with patients to determine an appropriate treatment plan, working in collaboration with the radiology department, chemotherapy department, palliative care team, and local medical institutions. Each patient's assigned nurse and the Cancer Counseling Support Center will provide advice and care to help reduce the physical and mental burden associated with treatment.
Our hospital has a full-time certified genetic counselor, which allows us to identify and support families who may be at risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (hereditary breast cancer).For more information on genetic counseling, please see this page.Please refer to.
