In this way, it is possible for patients to receive a diagnosis in a “single act”. That is to say, that a woman who comes to the service with a nodule that needs a diagnosis, can undergo, on the same day, all the radiological tests such as mammography, tomosynthesis, breast ultrasound and biopsy of suspicious lesions, the Board has reported in Press release.
With this, the anxiety of patients is reduced, as well as the time of diagnosis and confirmation of breast cancer, allowing the most appropriate treatment to be planned for each patient.
Early diagnosis of breast cancer is essential to increase survival. With the incorporation of this new ultrasound scanner and the reform that was carried out a few months ago in the unit space, promoting a new more comfortable room for patients, it has been possible for women to be summoned to this “unique act” of radiodiagnosis .
The rehabilitation of this room has involved the connection of this space with the surface of the unit itself, with direct entry through the mammographer’s corridor and access to the companion’s entrance. A spacious room, with its own bathroom and changing table, where interventional processes are prioritized. In addition, the artistic adaptation of the space is already being considered to promote a calmer environment for patients.
The Breast Unit, by having two ultrasound scanners and this ultrasound room more focused on interventionism, significantly improves its services. Something that was unthinkable a few years ago. And it is that ultrasound has become a fundamental tool for the proper functioning of this type of unit, given its high volume of indicators.
The new ultrasound machine that has been incorporated has technical characteristics that make it possible to take high-resolution images using high-frequency probes for the detection of small-sized lesions in the breast. This device has a program that also allows the detection of low flows in tumor lesions.
In the same way, it has a software with an automatic elastography program that determines the stiffness of the nodule studied, with which data of suspicion of malignancy or benignity can be specified, something that crucially helps in the decision about its control or study. percutaneous
In addition to this latest improvement for the service, since 2016 two digital mammographs with tomosynthesis have also been incorporated into the Unit, investments also included in the High-Tech Renewal Plan of the Ministry of Health, which have made it possible to gain resolution in the images and generate a high quality 3D “digital mammogram”.
NEW PROCEDURES
The incorporation of the new ultrasound machine will help maintain the intense activity of the Breast Unit. In the years 2020 and 2021, 5,380 and 5,908 diagnostic ultrasounds were performed, respectively; 219 and 235 axillary ultrasound for staging; and 1,050 and 1,129 ultrasounds for interventional procedures such as biopsies, placement of markers or placement of seeds. So far in 2022, until June 1, 2,931 diagnostic ultrasounds, 129 axillary ultrasounds and 538 ultrasounds for interventional processes have already been performed.
“As reflected in these data, the volume of studies with ultrasound is very high, as well as its use in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures”, explained the head of the Breast Unit of the Radiodiagnosis Service of the GAI of Albacete in Perpetuo Help, Ana Gema Blanco Cabañero. In this regard, she added that “our philosophy is to see the enemy before he attacks, detecting small-sized tumors, increasing patient survival.”
Meanwhile, the Service is already working to incorporate new interventional procedures. Recently, with the collaboration of Dr. Miguel Chiva, head of the Breast Radiology Section of the Ramón y Cajal Hospital in Madrid, they have performed, for the first time at the Perpetuo Socorro Hospital, an ablation of tumors by ultrasound-guided microwave thermoablation. A novel technique with which the aim is to open a path for percutaneous treatment of tumors in patients who are not candidates for surgery due to age or associated pathology.
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