Clinical Studies

NEWS BRIEF

Novilase™ Breast Therapy Now Available at The Breast Care Center at Columbia Hospital.

Palm Beach County Breast Care Center at Columbia Hospital now offers Novilase™, a safe, simple and cosmetically superior alternative to lumpectomy surgery for women with fibroadenomas, the most common form of benign (non-cancerous) breast tumor. A minimally invasive technique, Novilase™ removes tumors with heat from a laser, instead of removing the lump surgically. Novilase™ is currently FDA cleared for fibroadenomas, and the company is soon to begin a trial to seek approval for a malignant indication.

The procedure is less risky than lumpectomy surgery and is typically performed in an outpatient setting in an hour or less. Because no incision is made or tissue removed, Novilase™ preserves the natural feel and shape of the breast with only minimal scarring.

“Novilase™ conforms with the medical trend toward precise, minimally invasive procedures with lower risk and faster recovery times,” said surgeon Dr. Robert A. Gardner. “For patients, that means a significant improvement over lumpectomy in safety, convenience and cosmetic result.”

Advantages of Novilase™ Include:

• Alternative to surgery or 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. 

• 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.

• Less infection risk. Because Novilase™ works through heating without an incision, the infection risk is extremely low. A lumpectomy incision and cavity can be more prone to infection and other complications.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

To learn more about the new laser treatment, call 1-866-702-3198, email, or visit www.novilase.com.