Kristin Lupinacci, DO, and Andrew Laman, MD, have made it their mission to provide patients in Pittsburgh's South Hills with more options for breast cancer care.
Dr. Lupinacci and Dr. Laman provide care at a comprehensive breast cancer clinic at the UPMC Outpatient Center on Clairton Boulevard in West Mifflin.
“If you live in one of the communities south of Pittsburgh, you may worry about driving into the city and visiting different facilities in order to get the care you need, which can take up a lot of time,” says Dr. Lupinacci, a breast cancer surgeon at Magee-Womens Surgical Associates. “That’s why we created this clinic at the UPMC Outpatient Center. We wanted to offer a one-stop shop for breast cancer care.”
Care and Convenience — All Under One Roof
The clinic, led by Dr. Laman and Dr. Lupinacci, is open Wednesday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon.
“The care that patients receive at the clinic is exceptional,” Dr. Lupinacci says. “Many of us working here might be at another hospital or facility during other parts of the day or week, but we bring the same level of top-notch care right to the center.”
A breast cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, along with the numerous appointments at different locations and on different days that follow.
“The benefit of our center is that a patient receives a broad spectrum of care, from imaging to preoperative testing, outpatient surgery to medical oncology, and recovery — all in one convenient place,” says Dr. Laman, a hematologist and oncologist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
The clinic offers:
- Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Breast ultrasound.
- Diagnostic and screening mammograms.
- Lumpectomy.
- Mastectomy.
- Needle biopsy.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy.
At the clinic, patients benefit from the expertise of UPMC Magee-Womens services and doctors — right in their neighborhood. Our breast imaging experts read all breast imaging results. Also, our breast pathology experts evaluate a patient’s biopsy and lumpectomy/mastectomy pathology readings at the hospital.
Advanced Technology
In addition to top-notch medical expertise, the clinic houses state-of-the-art equipment, expanding the possibilities of patient care at an outpatient facility.
“Patients can go to the clinic for their annual mammography screening, a biopsy, lumpectomy, or even mastectomy,” Dr. Lupinacci says. “We have the newest breast MRI and CT scan machines, enabling us to capture better pictures and provide advanced care.”
Unlike a 2D mammogram, where it would only display four pictures total, 3D digital mammography shows anywhere from nine to 20 images of each breast. These images are then combined so a radiologist can identify if there are any areas of concern.
“By using 2D and 3D imaging together, we can more precisely diagnose and care for our patients,” Dr. Laman says.
The UPMC Outpatient Center is conveniently located on Route 51 and boasts plenty of free parking. Shorter wait times for an appointment mean patients can get the care they need when they need it.
“The smaller time window for getting an appointment can also shorten the diagnosis time,” Dr. Lupinacci says. “ The earlier we detect breast cancer, the sooner we can get started treating it with more options.”
Schedule an appointment online at the breast cancer care clinic. The clinic is located inside the UPMC Outpatient Center at 275 Clairton Blvd. in West Mifflin.
