Intraductal Breast Carcinoma: Experiences from The Breast Center in Van Nuys, California

The Breast Center in Van Nuys, California was the first free-standing, truly multidisciplinary, breast treatment center in the United States (Silverstein et al. 1986a). Housed in a 14000 square foot area, it includes a home-like waiting room, an operating and recovery suite, diagnostic and education center, clinical center, physicians offices, and psychiatric center. Members of the diagnostic and therapeutic teams are always available. The diagnostic center contains four modern mammography machines, a digital stereotactic unit, and ultrasonography equipment. The staff includes surgical, medical and radiation oncologists, a diagnostic radiologist, two reconstructive surgeons, two pathologists and a psychologic team headed by a psychiatrist (psycho-oncologist).