Breast Cancer

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. If you’re one of them, you need to find out for yourself why women in the Gulf South choose Ochsner as their fighting partner. Our team offers an advanced approach to the diagnosis, treatment and management of breast cancer. Here at Ochsner, early detection and treatment options are leading to more positive outcomes every day.

The Lieselotte Tansey Breast Center

Ochsner Medical Center is home to the Lieselotte Tansey Breast Center, the only facility in the region to meet all 27 guidelines for full accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. One of the top breast cancer hospitals in America is right here, saving the lives of our mothers, sisters and other women we love in the Gulf South Region.

We offer a wide variety of services to treat breast cancer symptoms ranging from diagnostic studies to post-operative manual lymphedema drainage. Breast prosthesis fitting programs, high-risk breast and ovarian cancer genetics clinics and support programs are also available.

Putting the Team Approach to Work For Our Patients

To us, patients aren’t just cases, they’re people. At Ochsner, you’ll have a dedicated nurse navigator and a team of experts beside you every step of the way. Learn more about our team approach.

Learn More About Breast Cancer Treatment at Ochsner

Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery

Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery is an advanced approach to removing breast cancer. Hidden Scar certified surgeons place a patient’s incision in a location that is hard to see, so that the scar is not visible when the patient’s incision heals. As a result, patients have little-to-no visible reminder of the surgery or their cancer.

The advanced Hidden Scar surgical approach enables Hidden Scar certified surgeons to perform nipple sparing mastectomies and lumpectomies with greater precision, efficiency and safety, while improving cosmetic results and quality of life for patients. Ochsner currently has four fellowship-trained surgical oncologists performing the Hidden Scar procedure: Aimee Mackey, MD, Amy Rivere, MD, George Fuhrman, MD and Ralph Corsetti, MD.

The Lieselotte Tansey Breast Center at Ochsner has been designated as Louisiana’s only Center of Excellence by Hidden Scar™. By offering this procedure, the Lieselotte Tansey Breast Center, a part of the Ochsner Cancer Institute, is continuing in the health system’s commitment to bringing the most innovative procedures and therapies to cancer patients in the New Orleans area. Hidden Scar is also available at Ochsner Baptist and Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank Campus.

Benign Breast Conditions

There are many types of benign breast conditions or diseases. Some require no medical treatment but others require care. Some types can increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk to an Ochsner physician to learn more.

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE A MAMMOGRAM

Your mammogram came back “abnormal.” Now what?

While it’s true that one out of six American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes, most women with abnormal mammograms turn out to be cancer free. In most situations, the more appropriate next step isn’t a surgical biopsy but something called a core needle biopsy, which may rule out the need for surgery all together. No one has more experience with core needle biopsies in our region than Ochsner.

At Ochsner, the appropriate core needle biopsy technique is performed (Ultrasound-guided, MRI-guided or Stereotactic) and the results are used to create a customized treatment plan for each patient. The small amount of tissue removed during a core needle biopsy can give your team a great deal of information about the tumor type, grade and characteristics that can affect your prognosis.

Unlike a surgical biopsy, there is less disturbance or distortion of tissue with a needle core biopsy. And there are other benefits well. With a core needle biopsy, tissue is preserved for lymph node mapping. The procedure includes localization and marking for future care management. It’s important to note that this approach does not delay chemotherapy, if needed. More importantly, it can reduce the need for more surgery in many cases.

Patient Housing Options

Patients may stay at Ochsner’s Brent House Hotel, a full-service hotel with guest rooms and suites adjacent to Ochsner Medical Center. Call toll free 1-800-535-3986 or go to brenthouse.com for more information.

Patients and a caregiver may also stay at the American Cancer Society’s Patrick F. Taylor Hope Lodge. This program helps patients cope with the cancer treatment process and provides a supportive environment for patients. Ochsner can help coordinate housing arrangements if needed and additional information is available by calling 504-219-2200.

Qualified patients and family members can obtain free lodging at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge.

Related Services

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Knitted Knockers provides free hand-knit breast prosthetics for women who have experienced mastectomy.

Free comfortable prosthetics are provided for breast cancer survivors by Knitted Knockers

Founded by Ochsner nurses, the New Orleans-based chapter of Knitted Knockers provides free hand-knit breast prosthetics for women who have experienced mastectomy.