Tufts Medical Center - Breast Health Center

The Tufts Medical Center Breast Health Center is the longest standing multidisclinary breast center in New England - first founded in 1978 by Drs. Thomas Smith and Douglas Marchant. The Center has expanded considerably over the past 30 years and now provides comprehensive diagnostic, therapeutic and educational services for women who have both benign and malignant breast disease.

Our multidisciplinary team works to create personal care plans for every patient. We review all new breast cancer patients weekly to discuss their diagnosis, staging and the treatment plan. We offer a wide range of breast health services but truly specialize in caring for:

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Invasive breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer
Phyllodes tumors
Advanced and metastatic breast cancer
Recurrent breast cancer and chest wall recurrences

The Breast Health Center offers a number of treatment options for our patients, including:

Surgical Oncology and Plastic Surgery

Breast conservation and oncoplastic surgery
Sentinel node biopsy
Tissue and implant recontruction

Learn more about our Surgical Oncology and Plastic Surgery programs.

Radiation Oncology

Accelerated breast irradation - Offered to appropriately selected patients, including both one-week accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) course and a four-week course of whole berast irridation. Brachytherapy delivery options include a single or multilumen catheter for optimal planning capabilities. These accelerated courses allow completion of treatment in a shorter timeframe
Whole breast radiation with IMRT and forward treatment planning
Stereotactic radiation with image guidance using cone beam CT
Hyperthermia - Heating a tumor can increase the effectiveness of radiation. Hyperthermia is most commonly used in the setting of recurrent disease in a previously radiated site

Medical Oncology

Participation in adjuvant and advanced disease clinical trials
Consultations for high risk screening
Neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy
Treatment of relapsed and metastatic disease

Radiology

Mammography
Ultrasound
MRI
Optical mammography (investigational)

Genetics

Genetic Risk Assessment
Testing for BRCA 1 and 2 mutations and other cancer susceptibility genes

Pathology

CLIA-certified for high complexity testing
Inspected and acrredited by the College of American Pathologists
Dr. Stephen Naber (head of breast pathology) holds a Certificate of Special Expertise in Breast Predictive Factors Testing

Clinical Trials

Our patients have access to novel therapies through participation in both Tufts Medical Center clinical trials and national clinical trials. Explore our clinical trials database.