Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Recent research explains that breast cancer is not one form of cancer, but many different subtypes of cancer. These subtypes of breast cancer are generally diagnosed based upon the presence, or lack of, three receptors known to fuel most breast cancers: estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). There are approximately 180,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the United States each year. About 15 percent of these cases are triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) where the tumors are negative for the three receptors. Current therapies only target these three receptors, and TNBC is relatively rare and can be a highly aggressive form of breast cancer.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer Clinic
The Methodist Cancer Center has developed a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Clinic, which is designed to integrate all the care for women with triple negative breast cancer. The services offered are tailored to each individual according to the genetics of the breast tumor.
Located in the Texas Medical Center, the clinic offers a multi-disciplinary medical approach with surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, radiology and psychosocial support. The clinic is also an educational resource for patients to learn more about the disease as well as the latest in research and clinical trials. The clinic offers a one-of-a-kind computer simulation enabling patients to visualize the disease and to assist the medical team in planning the course of treatment together in consultation with the patient.
Support Services
The Methodist Cancer Center offers comprehensive support to all of our patients.
Services include:
- genetic counseling
- psychosocial support
- nutritional counseling
- lymphedema management
- nurse navigator
- massage therapy
- Look Good, Feel Better program
A health resource library is available for patient use at the center. We can help you navigate the various web sites, books, support groups and resources currently available.
Research
A team of researchers at the Methodist Cancer Center is actively involved in a variety of clinical trials related to prevention and detection as well as early and advanced carcinoma. Major areas of research include normal mammary gland development; biology of pre-malignant breast disease; genetic risk assessment; gene therapy for prevention and/ or treatment; targeted drug therapy; and new tissue-sparing surgical techniques.
This active research aspect at Methodist confirms its leadership in the field and also offers patients with an opportunity to explore other options that might be beneficial toward their treatment.
