USC Verdugo Hills Hospital’s team of dedicated breast care experts delivers a broad range of services. We provide the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies and use state-of-the-art imaging equipment to precisely customize your treatment plan and therapy for your specific condition.

We tailor our approach to meet your individual situation, such as:

  • Breast mass
  • Imaging (i.e., mammogram, ultrasound or MRI) abnormality
  • Breast pain
  • High risk family history of breast and ovarian cancer (including inherited genetic mutations BRCA 1 &2)
  • New breast cancers
  • Breast cancer survivors
  • Benign breast conditions

Our patients benefit from coordinated care as our team of specialists conducts regular conferences to evaluate every patient’s case and recommend a comprehensive and tailored treatment plan. Additionally, our team of physicians value shared decision-making and strive to personalize care to meet each patient’s needs. Our surgeons offer innovative approaches to breast cancer surgery including breast conserving surgeries, skin-sparing mastectomies, skin-nipple areolar sparing mastectomies and incorporate the latest in oncoplastic reconstruction. If necessary, our patients have access to USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles, one of the eight original National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States.

Overview

The breast care team is multidisciplinary, meaning that we work with a variety of specialists who collaborate to guide women through evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. We are dedicated to ensuring high quality and innovative care through all aspects of your treatment. Our patients benefit from comprehensive, advanced treatment from a team of dedicated, experienced and compassionate specialists – both on-site and in consultation – in breast surgery, breast imaging/radiology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, genetics and physical therapy.

We offer personalized, high-quality care through a variety of procedures, including:

  • Excisional breast biopsy
  • Ultrasound guided aspirations and excisional biopsies
  • Wire localized excisional biopsy
  • Sentinel lymph node mapping and biopsy
  • Breast conserving surgery (i.e., lumpectomy, segmental mastectomy)
  • Simple (Total) mastectomy
  • Skin-sparing mastectomy
  • Nipple-areolar sparing mastectomy
  • Modified radical mastectomy
  • Axillary lymph node dissection

Our Approach

Our team is committed to serving our patients with compassion and sensitivity. We are also dedicated to ensuring that our patients are as comfortable as possible throughout their treatment. Our goal is to empathetically communicate and respond to the emotional needs and concerns of patients and your families while providing state-of-the-art therapy using the newest and most advanced technologies available.

Our program is designed to provide each patient with the most optimal care and outcomes. We work side-by-side with you to develop a customized plan for your care. Whether you have a benign breast condition or are newly diagnosed with cancer, we provide you with the best care possible.

Our Team

Chandnish Ahluwalia, MD
Regina Baker, MD
Maria E. Nelson, MD
Ketan Patel, MD
Danielle R. Sterrenberg, MD
Christina Wade, MD