Clinical Studies
NOVILASE™ BREAST THERAPY
The Breast Care Center at Columbia Hospital, under the guidance of Dr. Robert A. Gardner, M.D., is among the first centers in the U.S. to offer Novilase™ Breast Therapy.
Novilase™ is a precise, minimally invasive procedure for treating breast tumors. An alternative to lumpectomy surgery, Novilase™ uses heat from a laser to destroy (or ablate) the tumor.
Novilase™ is currently FDA cleared for the treatment of fibroadenomas, a common form of benign (non-cancerous) breast tumors, and is safe, simple, effective, and less risky than lumpectomy while providing a superior cosmetic outcome. Because there is no incision and no tissue removed, the procedure preserves the natural feel and shape of the breast with only minimal scarring.
Novilase™ is performed at The Breast Care Center at Columbia Hospital typically in an hour or less.
NOVILASE™ has several advantages over lumpectomy:
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Alternative to watching and waiting. Before Novilase™, patients who wanted to avoid a lumpectomy surgery were advised to “watch and wait.” Watching and waiting causes anxiety for many women because of the chance the tumor could grow and may become cancerous. Fibroadenomas can also cause physical discomfort.
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Less invasive. The two Novilase™ probes are inserted via two skin nicks of about 1/8 inch each, versus the 2-3 inch incision needed for a lumpectomy.
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Less infection risk. Because Novilase™ works through heating and the probes are inserted through two nicks, the infection risk is extremely low. A lumpectomy incision and cavity can be more prone to infection and other complications.
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Faster recovery. A patient can resume normal activity within a few hours of the Novilase™ procedure. The recovery period for a lumpectomy can last a few days.
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No stitches and minimal scarring. When the procedure is complete, the two small nicks are covered with a small adhesive bandage. A lumpectomy incision is closed with sutures and creates a more substantial scar.
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Natural shape maintained. The “dimpling” that can occur with lumpectomy does not typically occur with Novilase™, because the procedure does not remove tissue. Thus, the breast maintains its natural shape.
For more information, click here or call 1-866-702-3198.
If you are interested in participating in this study, contact us to determine your eligibility.