do we do the necessary pre-op work up and the surgery, we then guide the patient through the rest of her care, and we continue to follow her for life.” If a patient has any concern with her breasts, Dr. Lagarde says, whether it’s a breast lump, family history of breast cancer or an abnormal mammogram, she can come in for an evaluation. “We look at their mammogram, perform a physical exam and ultrasound them,” says Dr. Lagarde. Both Dr. Lagarde and nurse practitioner Heather Steinhauer are ultrasound-certified and have all the state-of-the-art equipment at their fingertips in the office. “If we see a mass on ultrasound, we do an ultrasound-guided biopsy, usually on the spot.”
Dr. M. Celeste Lagarde and Dr. Richard Celentano KNOWING YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT HANDS and receiving the
Guiding patients from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.
While not every mass is cancerous, “If we diagnose
right guidance can provide a large measure of comfort during
a patient with a breast cancer, then we can guide her on
trying times. That’s what Dr. M. Celeste Lagarde and Dr.
her journey,” Dr. Lagarde says. She tells her patients, “Not
Richard Celentano offer patients in their Covington practice.
every breast cancer is created equal.” Finding out exactly
They’re a husband-and-wife team of skilled physicians, with
what type of breast cancer a patient has is the first step
Dr. Lagarde, a general surgeon, specializing in breast cancer
in planning treatment. “We now actually do the genetics
diagnosis and oncologic surgery. Dr. Celentano is a board
on the breast cancer. We look at hormonal receptors;
certified plastic surgeon—and one of the area’s few certified
estrogen, progesterone and herceptin. We look at the size
hand specialists—who performs breast reconstructive surgery
of the tumor. We do MRIs and PET scans. We gather all
for many of Dr. Lagarde’s patients.
that information and help the patient decide her treatment
Drs. Lagarde and Celentano can provide needed
plan.” Her patients also consult medical and radiation
surgical treatment, lumpectomy or mastectomy, followed up
oncologists, who plan appropriate chemotherapy and/or
by immediate or delayed reconstructive procedures. “We
radiation treatments, if needed.
don’t just perform the surgeries,” says Dr. Lagarde. “Not only
The doctors are confident that northshore patients have the best care available right here at home. They have treated patients from all over the country. “Because of the team that I have here in Covington, we have the best breast cancer absolutely true. The medical oncologists I have are excellently trained at the biggest cancer centers—Sloan Kettering and M.D. Anderson—and we have Mary Bird Perkins for state-ofthe-art radiation oncology.” Fortunately, advances in techniques used in performing mastectomies and reconstructive surgeries can make treatment less frightening than ever before. “They’ve pushed the envelope,” notes Dr. Celentano. While Dr. Celentano
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Inside Northside
photos: ABBY SANDS MILLER www.abbyphoto.com
care in the country. Nobody’s going to believe that, but it’s