UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
Nora Jaskowiak, MD, in surgery with team
Breast surgeon Nora Jaskowiak, MD, center, is surgical director of the UChicago Medicine Breast Center.

University of Chicago Medicine surgeons are highly skilled, nationally recognized experts in the latest surgical techniques for breast cancer, including:

Breast Conservation Surgery

For many women, our breast surgeons perform breast conservation surgery, which is when the tumor and surrounding tissue are removed while leaving most of the breast intact. Patients then undergo radiation therapy to destroy any cancer cells left in the breast after surgery.

Mastectomy

For women who are not eligible for breast conservation, our breast surgeons also offer mastectomy, or the surgical removal of the entire breast. Surgeons may perform simple mastectomy (remove the entire breast, extra skin, nipple and areola), skin-sparing mastectomy (remove the nipple and areola but maintain the extra skin for immediate reconstruction), or total skin-sparing mastectomy (remove breast tissue but leave the skin, nipple and areola intact for immediate breast reconstruction).

Lymph Node Surgery

To determine whether cancer cells from the breast have spread outside of the breast, our breast surgeons may also perform lymph node surgery. Findings from these procedures (sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection) allow the surgeons to determine if a patient needs additional treatment after breast cancer surgery.

Radioactive Seed Localization

We were the first in the Chicago area to offer radioactive seed localization for tumors that are only seen on mammography or ultrasound (tumors not visible to the eye or can't be felt by hand). Tiny radioactive "seeds" are placed near the tumor up to five days before surgery. During surgery, surgeons use a special device to track the seeds so they can easily find and remove the cancerous tissue and seeds during surgery.

Nipple-Sparing Procedures

For women undergoing mastectomy (removal of a breast), our surgeons have unparalleled experience and outcomes in the Chicago area using nipple-sparing techniques.

A Balanced Approach 

UChicago Medicine breast surgeons take a balanced approach to breast cancer surgery, using evidence-based medicine to tailor surgery to each woman's needs. For example, for women with cancer in their lymph nodes who have had an excellent response to chemotherapy, our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to remove only the lymph nodes affected by cancer. This careful approach effectively treats cancer while reducing the risk for post-surgical complications, such as numbness and lymphedema (tissue swelling). If lymphedema develops, we are one of the few hospitals in the nation that offers highly advanced expertise in lymphedema surgery.

Request an Appointment

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-855-702-8222 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient for breast cancer care, please call UCM Physician Connect at 1-800-824-2282

 

By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.

* Indicates required field

By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.
medical oncologist Olwen Hahn, MD

Cancer Care Second Opinions

Request a second opinion from UChicago Medicine cancer care experts.

researcher in cancer lab

Clinical Trials for Breast Cancer

We're actively conducting phase I, II and III clinical trials for breast cancer.

Stacy Lindau, MD, talking with a patient

Program in Integrative Sexual Medicine (PRISM) for Women & Girls with Cancer

PRISM is a program designed to identify, prevent and treat sexual health problems in female cancer patients and survivors.