Breast Care Specialists
David I. Kaufman, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Since 1990, Dr. David Kaufman has been in private practice on Long Island.  Dr. Kaufman is a surgeon specializing in Diseases and Surgery of the Breast.  His office was originally based in Massapequa, New York and is now located in Bethpage, New York on Hempstead Turnpike across from St. Joseph Hospital.

Dr. Kaufman has chosen to specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of breast conditions because proper care takes focus and diligent attention to detail. The mountain of information can be difficult to sort out, and in this new era of managed health care, women often are not given enough time and information to deal with their needs effectively and efficiently.

Every woman in the United States worries about Breast Cancer. This year, more than 203,500 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 41,000 will die from the disease. It is one of the most important women's health issues facing us today.

But, good things are happening. Using the newest available techniques, doctors are able to diagnose cancers earlier, and fewer women are dying. New advances are being made every day in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, giving us all hope for the future.  Using State of the art technology, Dr. Kaufman is able to diagnose breast cancer earlier and more accurately and is curing more women than ever before.

Non-Surgical Image Guided Breast Biopsy Minimally Invasive Ultrasound Guided Vacuum Assisted Biopsy Minimally Invasive Stereotactic Vacuum Assisted Biopsy Ultrasound Guided Needle Aspirations Localization and Excision of Lesions Seen on Mammogram Oncoplastic Surgery

Treatment of Nipple Discharge and Bleeding Treatment of Benign Breast Diseases Halo Breast Pap Test Breast MRI Digital Breast Ultrasound Digital Breast Mammography State of the Art Equipment for the Diagnosis of Breast Lesions Genetic Testing, BRCA 1 - 2

Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Pain L-Dex Measurements for Lymphedema Prevention and Identification Lumpectomy for Breast Preservation Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Skin Sparing Mastectomy Nipple Sparing Mastectomy

 

Why a Stereotactic or Ultrasound Guided Vacuum Assisted Large Core Breast Biopsy?

	Ultrasound Biopsy in Progress

A change in your breast or an abnormality may be detected by a Mammogram, Sonogram or MRI. A lump could be found by you or your doctor. These findings may or may not be cancerous.  In order to determine whether an area of concern is malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous), a physician must perform a biopsy.  A breast biopsy is the removal of a sample of breast tissue for examination in the lab and is the only definitive way to determine if an abnormality is cancerous or not.

Fortunately,about 80 percent of biopsies result in a benign diagnosis.  However, if cancer is present, it is crucial that you know the type and stage of the disease as early as possible.  Through early detection and accurate diagnosis, more treatment options are available and a complete recovery is more likely.

 

 

What is a Stereotactic Vacuum Assisted Large Core Breast Biopsy?

ATEC Consoles Sapphire

The ATEC® Sapphire is the first-ever all-in-one breast biopsy system that provides surgeons the ability to biopsy and excise breast masses and other abnormalities in any of the three primary diagnostic imaging modalities of stereotactic X-ray, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

A stereotactic breast biopsy is used to take tiny samples of your breast tissue that can be studied under a microscope.  During this procedure, an x-ray helps find the tissue to be removed.  Stereotactic breast biopsy may prevent the need for an open, or surgical biopsy.  Open biopsy is done by taking samples of tissue through an incision, or a cut, made in the skin.

Unlike traditional open surgical biopsy, which requires a large skin incision and core needle biopsy which requires multiple insertions of that device, the Vacuum Assisted Large Core Breast Biopsy System requires only a single insertion and minimizes the removal of surrounding healthy tissue.  The procedure requires only a local anesthetic and can be performed on an outpatient basis.

The system is attached to a special stereotactic imaging table outfitted with X-ray equipment that takes pictures from two angles.  The patient lies face down on the table where there is an opening for the breast.  Once the abnormal tissue is located a local anesthetic is administered.  Then the computerized imaging system guides a thin, rotating probe which is inserted into the breast one time. Once in position a vacuum system gently draws tissue into a sample chamber.  A rotating device then cuts the tissue samples and sends them to a tissue collection device. The tissue samples are then sent to a pathology lab to be examined.

Preparing for a Breast Biopsy?

Before the biopsy, follow these and any other guidelines you're given:

• Tell Dr. Kaufman what medications you are taking, including blood thinners, aspirin, ibuprofen and Vitamin-E.  Ask if and when you should stop taking them
  
• Wear a top that is easy to remove and bring your sports bra with you
  
• Bathe before the procedure.  Do not wear perfume, deodorant, antiperspirant, lotion, powder, or any other substance on your skin
  
• Try to empty your bladder before the procedure so that you will be more comfortable on the table.

What Happens During a Stereotactic Vacuum Assisted Large Core Breast Biopsy?

You undress from the waist up and put on a gown that opens in the front.  Then, you lie on your stomach on a stereotactic imaging table.  Your breast is placed through an opening in the table.  The skin on your breast is cleansed and then numbing medicine is administered with a local anesthetic, thus minimizing any discomfort. Your breast is then pressed between two flat plates in order to take a low-dosage x-ray.  Through a very small incision, a thin biopsy probe is inserted and guided to the biopsy area.  Several small samples of breast tissue are removed.  After the needle is taken out, a tiny metallic marker will be placed at the biopsy site.  A small bandage is placed on your skin along with an ice pack.  You will now get dressed and go home soon after the procedure.

What Should I Do After a Stereotactic Breast Biopsy?

After the biopsy, follow these and any other guidelines you have been given by Dr. Kaufman:

• Take it easy for 24 hours
  

• Ask how long you should use an ice pack over the biopsy are, when you can remove your bandage and when you may resume medication (including aspirin) again
  

• If you have a fever, excessive bleeding, or other problems, call Dr. Kaufman for more instructions

Things to Know About Stereotactic and Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy

• Stereotactic Biopsy involves compression of the breast. In this way it is similar to a mammogram. This can sometimes be uncomfortable
  

• A Stereotactic Biopsy removes tiny samples of the suspicious tissue. A larger area of breast tissue may need to be removed at a later time
  

• A Vacuum Assisted Large Core Stereotactic or Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy is 3 times more accurate than the smaller Core Needle Biopsy in diagnosing conditions associated with early stage breast cancer
  

• A Vacuum Assisted Large Core Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy is better at retrieving small masses, that are not palpable, than the smaller Core Needle Biopsy method

  What about Partial Breast Radiation?

Partial Breast Irradiation is a relatively new treatment option for patients undergoing breast conserving surgery for breast cancer. In the past, following a lumpectomy to remove a tumor, patients often recieved radiation to the whole breast.

Currently, techniques exist whereby we can treat the lumpectomy site and surrounding breast tissue with a small balloon or similar device placed within the lumpectomy cavity by Dr. Kaufman in the office. A radioactive source is then inserted into the balloon to deliver the radiation. This type of treatment can be delivered quickly, twice per day six hours apart and completed in one week as compared to standard radiation therapy which is given over a five to six week period. Some of the benefits of this include shorter treatment time, less side effects and most importantly similar overall benefit and control of the cancer.

Please call our office to discuss this treatment with Dr. Kaufman.