Treatments We Offer

The management of breast cancer includes a variety of techniques, including surgery, pre-surgical or post-surgical chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiation treatments and sentinel lymph node biopsy, or axiliary lymph node dissection. Treatment regimens are tailored to each individual woman based on factors such as the size, type, and stage of the breast cancer, hormone receptor status, spread of disease, prognostic factors and patient's choice.

Lymphedema Management

Lymphedema is a chronic condition resulting in accumulation of protein rich fluid, which causes swelling in the arms or legs. Some women experience lymphedema following lymph node surgery. It is unclear why some patients develop lymphedema and others do not. Causes of lymphedema have been linked to removal or damage of the lymph nodes due to surgery, radiation treatments, infection, muscle strain, binding forces, or genetic defect in the lymphatic system. Symptoms of lymphedema include swelling, feeling of heaviness, hardness, numbness/tingling, and frequent infections in the arms or legs. Lymphedema is a condition that can be treated but not cured. If left untreated, the patient is at risk for developing an infection and/or lymphosarcoma, conditions that are painful and debilitating.

Center for Rehab Services (CRS), a subsidiary of UPMC, offers a network of women's health physical therapists who specialize in lymphedema treatment and management. The most effective treatment is lymphatic drainage massage, a technique used to open the lymphatics to help drain the affected limb. This technique has been used extensively in Europe and has recently gained acceptance in the United States.

The comprehensive treatment includes:

  • lymphatic drainage massage
  • compression bandaging of the involved limb(s)
  • education in proper diet, exercise, and skin care precautions

Treatment enables the patient to manage their lymphedema independently through education and development of self-treatment skills. For more information, please call 1- 888-269-6636.

Medical Oncology

The Women's Cancer Program, including the Breast Cancer Program and Gynecologic Cancer Program, is located in an outpatient facility designed to provide comprehensive care and privacy for women receiving chemotherapy. Under the direction of Board-certified medical oncologists, a skilled team of clinical and support personnel offers comprehensive counseling and cancer treatment services including administration of chemotherapy, laboratory specimen collection, administration of blood and blood products, maintenance of central venous access devices, psychosocial counseling, and nutritional counseling.

Pain Service and Palliative Care

Palliative care seeks to prevent, relieve, reduce, or soothe the symptoms of disease or disorder, regardless of the stage of diagnosis and/or treatment being pursued. Palliative care is not just for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, but is especially helpful during such difficult times.

Palliative care can be used to compliment other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. It can also become the main focus of care when therapies and treatments are no longer effective or desired.

A palliative care nurse specialist will work with you to address any physical symptoms and increase your quality of life throughout your illness. Physician experts in palliative care, as well as pharmacists and other experienced palliative care providers are also available to help you. For more information, call 412-641-2108.

Radiation Oncology

Breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation therapy has been found to be an effective alternative to mastectomy for treatment of early stage breast cancer. Radiation oncology offers the latest equipment for the treatment of breast cancer. Three dimensional treatment planning is available for the treatment of advanced breast malignancies, including high dose rate (HDR) interstitial brachytherapy, external beam radiation treatments with high-energy linear accelerators, and computerized treatment planning.

A new tumor site-specific radiation therapy, MammoSite® Radiation Therapy System, is now an option for some breast cancer patients with early and small breast tumors treated at Magee. This treatment allows radiation oncologists to specifically treat the tumor site instead of the entire breast. It allows for the safe delivery of radiation to the breast in a very short period of time and as a result, reduces the time, inconvenience, and side effects that are associated with traditional external radiation therapy, such as skin changes, breast swelling, lung inflammation, and possible heart irritation.

Reconstruction and Plastic Surgery

Advances in reconstructive breast surgery have made it possible to restore a woman's breast, either with an implant or using the woman's own tissue, so that it closely resembles the remaining breast.

Breast reconstructive surgery can be performed immediately following the mastectomy procedure or at a later time. When to have breast reconstruction, what type, and whether you should have it done at all is a very personal decision. Discuss your options with your healthcare team, family, and friends.

Surgical Oncology

Management of breast cancer usually includes surgical removal of the tumor or breast with evaluation of disease if it has spread through lymph node biopsy or axillary node dissection. The latest techniques for the surgical management of breast disease is available in a state-of-the-art surgical facility dedicated to women.