New York-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital

Leading the Way Since 1999, Ashikari Breast Center physicians have been performing one-step nipple-sparing mastectomy, a procedure used to remove precancerous and cancerous tissue from patients who have a high risk for breast cancer. The procedure was pioneered and invented by experts at the Ashikari Breast Center and C. Andrew Salzberg, M.D., a plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction. "This procedure allows surgeons to perform mastectomies and reconstruction with minimal trauma, while preserving the nipple and areola," said Andrew Ashikari, M.D., FACS. "The combined approach is unique and has attracted patients from around the world." Dr. Andrew Ashikari and Dr. Salzberg have performed more nipple-sparing prophylactic mastectomies for patients with the genetic BRCA mutation than any other surgeons in the United States. To date Drs. Ashikari and Salzberg have personally performed the surgery on more than 270 BRCA-positive patients. Additionally, the Ashikari Breast Center along with the New York Group for Plastic Surgery was the first practice in the world to use acellular dermal matrix material – a lattice-like tissue support for the breast – which is now a standard of care in almost all breast implant reconstruction. Excellence in Imaging The Women's Imaging Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital offers the latest technologies to serve patients, including ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and three- dimensional (3-D) tomosynthesis mammography. "With 3-D mammography, we can thoroughly examine each part of the breast tissue in one-millimeter slices," said Maddalena Duarte, M.D., Director of the Women's Imaging Center. "Having a tomosynthesis mammogram significantly reduces the chances of patients needing to be recalled for extra imaging, and many women are grateful for that." To help patients understand the results of the imaging studies, as well as the workings of their own bodies, Dr. Duarte and her colleagues at the Women's Imaging Center have detailed discussions with patients and their families, encouraging each individual to make informed, thoughtful decisions about care. "The world of breast imaging in particular can be very confusing, so I want patients to ask questions until they understand my opinion and possible next steps," Dr. Duarte said. "Shared knowledge and mutual trust is imperative in any doctor/patient relationship." Because breast cancer is a condition that requires multispecialty care, the professionals at the Women's Imaging Center also have frequent conversations with the surgical specialists at the Ashikari Breast Center and other surgical specialists to discuss the individual cases of patients. "We are part of a full-service, comprehensive cancer center, and whenever possible, we discuss individual cases face to face," Dr. Duarte said. "All the members of the team in the Women's Imaging Center are happy to help patients with any of their questions." EFFECTIVE EFFICIENCY Timely service is high on the list of priorities for the team at the Ashikari Breast Center, where they also routinely screen high-risk breast cancer patients and manage benign breast disorders. e doctors' offices are connected to the Women's Imaging Center, and many patients can receive the full spectrum of care in one day. "We have a free flow of back-and-forth communication, which allows us to provide patients with the best possible care because our technicians are extremely flexible and radiologists are literally 20 yards from surgeons at all times," Dr. Andrew Ashikari said. "e proximity and flexibility enhances the experience for our patients, and in most cases, all diagnostic care takes place in a single day." OFFICIAL ACCOLADES In early 2015, the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, a program of the American College of Surgeons, awarded NewYork- Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital's Ashikari Breast Center a three-year full accreditation. "We are a nationally accredited breast center with advanced technology that complements the care from top physicians in the field to meet the needs of each and every patient," Dr. Andrew Ashikari said. "We serve them from the beginning, through treatment and follow up to provide women with access to long-term breast care." To learn more about the Ashikari Breast Center at NewYork- Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital, call 914-734-3490 or visit www.nyp.org/hudsonvalley, select "Patient Services" link and click on "Ashikari Breast Center." 5 ] F A L L 2 0 1 5

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