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 based in Massapequa, New York for seven years and just recently moved to a new modern facility in Bethpage, New York on Hempstead Turnpike. 

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

• Ultrasound Guided Mammotome^® Biopsy

• Stereotactic Mammotome^® Biopsy

• Ultrasound Guided Needle Aspirations

• Dedicated Digital Ultrasound Equipment for Diagnosis of Lesions

• Localization and Excision of Lesions Seen on Mammogram

• Treatment of Nipple Discharge and Bleeding

• Treatment of Benign Breast Diseases

The latest news on Hormone replacement therapy

On June 8, the FDA approved the sale of a lower-dose version of Wyeth's hormone replacement therapy Prempro. The new pills, approved to relieve menopause symptoms, contain 0.3 milligrams of estrogen and 1.5 milligrams of progestin, instead of Prempro's standard strength of 0.625 milligrams of estrogen and 2.5 milligrams or 5 milligrams of progestin. 

Last July, an NIH study found that long-term use of Prempro increased women's risk of breast cancer, heart attack, blood clots and stroke but reduced the risk of hipfractures and colon cancer, and another NIH study published last month found that the drug doubled the risk of dementia in women 65 and older. 

Prescription sales for the drug fell by 50% in the four months following the release of last year's study. Wyeth officials said they believe the lower hormone doses in the new product are safer than the regular-strength drug.

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Why a Stereotactic or Ultrasound Guided Mammotome® Breast Biopsy?

A change in your breast, such as an abnormality detected by a mammogram or a lump found by your or your doctor, 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 and is the only definitive way to determine if an abnormality is cancerous or not.

Fortunately, 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.

For more information about breast biopsy, please click here

What is a Stereotactic Mammotome® Breast Biopsy?

Mammotome® Breast Biopsy System

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 Mammotome® 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.

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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 Mammotome® 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 numbed with a local anesthetic, so you won't feel pain.  Your breast is then pressed between two flat plates in order to take a low-dosage x-ray.  Through an incision no bigger than a match head, a thin needle is inserted and guided to the biopsy area.  Several small samples of breast tissue are removed.  After the needle is taken out, a small metallic marker will be placed at the biopsy site.  A small bandage is placed on your skin along with an ice pack.  You may now get dressed and go home soon after the procedure.

For more information about breast biopsy, please click here

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 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 suspect tissue.  A larger area of tissue may need to be removed at a later time
  

• A Mammotone® Stereotactic or Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy is 3 times more accurate than a core needle biopsy in diagnosing conditions associated with early stage breast cancer
  

• A Mammotone® Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy is better at retrieving small masses, that are not palpable, than the core needle method