Methodist Breast Center

Early Detection

Breast Cancer is a frightening diagnosis, but it's not the end of the story. Tremendous resources have been devoted to the development of new treatments and new therapies. Surgery, hormone therapy, chemotherapy and radiation are all possible treatments — and with new advancements, they can be more effective and have fewer side effects.

Early detection is key. According to the National Cancer Institute, when Breast Cancer is found early and still localized, the relative survival rate (measured at five years) is 97 percent.

Learn more about early detection.

Breast MRI & MRI Biopsy

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, has revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of numerous illnesses. It is now being used in testing for breast cancer. For some patients, breast MRI actually works better than a conventional mammogram. In other cases, breast MRI can clarify the results of a conventional mammogram, providing additional information and helping to improve diagnosis.

When an MRI identifies a lesion within the breast, an MRI may be used to guide a biopsy of the lesion, helping us to gather a tissue sample with greater accuracy.

Learn more about Breast MRI at The Methodist Breast Center.

Clinical Trials

1. Protocol Title: A randomized phase II study to evaluate the combination of ixabepilone plus capecitabine or docetaxel plus capecitabine in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (IRB #1107-0225)
   Principal Investigator: Edgardo Rivera, M.D.
   Phone Number: (713) 441-5785
   
   

   - This study includes patients > 18 years of age, with metastatic breast cancer (first and second line of treatment). Measurable disease with HER2-positive subjects will be allowed if they have progressed after receiving treatment with trastuzumab or lapatinib. Subjects may be enrolled with triple-negative (TN) disease (not expressing ER, PR, or HER2/neu) or non-triple-negative (NTN) disease.

2. Protocol Title: Exploratory analysis of protein expression profiles in nipple aspiration fluid of breast cancer patients (IRB# 1107-0227)
   Principal Investigator: Edgardo Rivera, M.D.
   Phone Number: (713) 441-5785
   
   

   - Patients who are candidate for neoadjuvant chemotherapy, disease stage (T1N1-3M0 to T2-4 N0-3M0). Read more...