Triple-negative breast cancer care (TNBC) at Mayo Clinic
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) calls for a quick diagnosis, tailored treatment options and a highly coordinated plan. Breast medicine specialists in the Mayo Clinic Breast Clinic have extensive experience treating TNBC and other aggressive forms of breast cancer.
Mayo Clinic uses a team-based approach. Experts in medical oncology, surgery, radiology and genetics work together from the beginning to determine your diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan for you. This ensures that you receive whole-person care that takes into account all of your needs.
Your TNBC care team might include:
Faster answers and treatment because time matters
- Because TNBC can be aggressive, efficiency is a major focus.
- Mayo's Breast Clinic team often provides biopsy results within 72 hours.
- For some people with early-stage TNBC, radiation therapy may be shortened to as few as 3 to 5 days depending on their diagnostic results. Mayo researchers also have tested personalized three-day radiation approaches to reduce fatigue and time away from work and family.
Treatment is precisely tailored to your type of TNBC tumor
- Mayo is able to identify tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). These are immune cells found in and around the tumor in early-stage TNBC.
- The information from the TILs can help doctors identify patients who may benefit from less chemotherapy without sacrificing their outlook.
- Mayo's team uses precision medicine based on your tumor's genetics. This may include immunotherapy and targeted drug combinations. For example, Mayo uses antibody-drug conjugates and immunotherapy combinations that target cancer cells without hurting healthy cells.
Clinical trials are part of everyday care
- Every person with TNBC who comes to Mayo for their care is evaluated for a clinical trial as part of their care.
- Mayo offers access to treatments not widely available elsewhere, including advanced immunotherapy and therapies that use the immune system in new ways.
- Mayo Clinic doctors offer supportive therapy and survivorship services to support you during and after treatment. Researchers are studying ways to improve supportive care.
- Mayo Clinic also offers holistic care that extends beyond clinical treatment to include fertility preservation, sexual health, and integrative therapies such as acupuncture and stress management.
If you have other health conditions that could be affected by cancer treatment, your team may include additional specialists. For instance, cardiologists from the Cardio-Oncology Clinic may join your team if you have concerns related to your heart. If there are concerns about your kidneys, nephrologists from the Onco-Nephrology Clinic may join your team.
Your appointments are coordinated so that you can carefully consider your options and meet with a variety of specialists, often in a matter of days.
Expertise and rankings
Mayo Clinic doctors are widely respected for their expertise and experience in diagnosing and treating breast cancer.
Nationally recognized expertise
Outside organizations recognize Mayo Clinic breast cancer specialists through accreditations, grants and rankings:
- Mayo Clinic is one of a select group of medical centers in the United States to be recognized as a Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) for breast cancer research, funded by the National Cancer Institute. To earn a highly competitive SPORE grant, institutions must demonstrate a high degree of collaboration between first-rate scientists and clinicians and show excellence in translational research projects.
- Mayo Clinic is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
- Mayo Clinic doctors and researchers participate in research cooperatives, such as the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, which gives people with cancer access to the latest clinical trials.
Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center meets the strict standards for a U.S. National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center. These standards recognize scientific excellence and a multispecialty approach focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is ranked as the top hospital in Minnesota and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, is ranked as the top hospital in Arizona.
Locations, travel and lodging
Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.
For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:
Costs and insurance
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.
Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.