New Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center And MSKCC Imaging Center Opens

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Article Date: 06 Oct 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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The new Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and the MSKCC Imaging Center have opened, offering patients the most advanced outpatient services for cancer diagnosis and breast cancer treatment and detection.

The 16-story Breast and Imaging Center houses the MSKCC Imaging Center and the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center, established with a gift of $50 million from the Leonard and Evelyn Lauder Foundation.

"We are deeply grateful to Evelyn and Leonard Lauder for their remarkable generosity and vision in establishing an expanded breast center," said Harold Varmus, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center President. "In addition to providing the best available breast cancer care, this outstanding facility integrates the latest imaging technologies that help diagnose and guide therapy for not only breast but for many other types of cancer. This means that in this one notable building, located within walking distance of Memorial Hospital, we will serve a large and medically diverse patient population."

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center treats more breast cancer patients than any other cancer center in the nation and its new Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center is the world's largest freestanding comprehensive breast center. However, as Larry Norton, MD, Deputy Physician-in-Chief for Breast Cancer Programs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, notes, "Our goal is not simply to treat more patients but to cure breast cancer. We are dedicated to going beyond state-of-the-art by pioneering new ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent this disease."

The patient-centered Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center offers the most-up-to-date breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and outpatient treatment services as well as a wide range of support services, all under one roof. Patient convenience and the flexibility to adapt to leading-edge changes in the way breast cancer is diagnosed and treated are key elements in the construction of the Center. Its design reflects evolving modalities in the treatment of breast cancer such as new diagnostic technologies, less invasive surgery, molecular pathology, more effective chemotherapies, new targeted treatments, vaccine development, and an emphasis on prevention.

Evelyn H. Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of The Estée Lauder Companies and Founder and Chairman of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, stated, "Leonard and I are extremely proud to be associated with this extraordinary state-of-the-art facility. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center was the first institution to embrace the concept of multidisciplinary services under one roof in 1992, and this expanded facility brings us to the next generation. What a delight it was for me to be part of this process as well, keeping in mind the comfort of all our visiting patients and their companions. I'm also very proud to share that the Breast Cancer Research Foundation has made research grants to Memorial Sloan-Kettering totaling more than $21.5 million to date."

In addition to the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center, the new building houses the MSKCC Imaging Center, which includes two floors of the most advanced diagnostic imaging and treatment planning services for breast and a range of other cancers. State-of-the-art diagnostic technologies in the new building will include nine digital mammography units, one stereotactic biopsy unit, as well as two 64-slice CT scanners, one SPECT/CT scanner, three MRI scanners, and a PET/CT scanner.

"Cancer diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up is becoming more and more sophisticated, and with the opening of this new facility we are providing better coordinated, more compassionate care for patients with breast cancer while increasing imaging capacity for all Memorial Sloan-Kettering patients," said Hedvig Hricak, MD, Chair of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Department of Radiology.

Approximately 400 patients a day are expected to be seen at Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Breast and Imaging Center, located at 300 East 66th Street, on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

From the warm, natural hues and natural light used to create soothing surroundings for patients and family members, to interior patient waiting rooms separated from busy reception areas, and 20 private treatment suites where chemotherapy is administered as well as a drive-through where patients may be dropped off and picked up away from traffic convenience and comfort are hallmarks of the Breast and Imaging Center.

The facility's tranquil and inviting environment includes more than 450 pieces of original artwork. Much of the collection was either donated or secured by Evelyn H. Lauder. A wide range of artwork created by internationally recognized artists as well as employees of Memorial Sloan-Kettering hangs in every waiting room, and in every hallway, examination, treatment, and changing room. The collection is composed primarily of photographs but also features paintings, prints, works on paper, and sculpture. With her strong belief in the healing power of beauty in nature, Evelyn H. Lauder has selected artworks that convey a peaceful and uplifting vision of the natural world for the Center's patients.

Patients at the new Center are cared for by a multidisciplinary staff of more than 200 healthcare professionals. A full range of outpatient services are offered including:

-- Medical Oncology
-- Surgical Services
-- Chemotherapy
-- Radiology, including nine digital mammography units, stereotactic biopsy, MRI, CT, SPECT/CT, PET/CT, and bone densitometry
-- Pathology, with two full-time pathologists on-site
-- Genetics Counseling
-- Psychiatry
-- Social Work
-- Sexual Health
-- Special Surveillance Program for women at high risk for breast cancer
-- Survivorship Program for long-term breast cancer survivors
-- Nutrition Counseling
-- Integrative Medicine, including acupuncture, massage, and yoga
-- Rehabilitation and Occupational Therapy, with a focus on lymphedema therapy
-- Boutique offering a wig service, prosthetics, bathing suits, and accessories
-- Patient Education Library
-- Art Therapy

The $200 million, 236,900-square-foot Breast and Imaging Center was constructed under the direction of Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Facilities Management Division. The facilities project team included Granary Associates, Perkin Eastman Architects, AKF Engineers, and Turner Construction Company.

Source: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center