Advanced Diagnostic Techniques
Mammography
A traditional technique that uses a low-dose x-ray system to examine the breasts. It is a painless test that exposes the body to a small dose of radiation to produce images that can help in the diagnosis stage.
Stereotactic biopsy
Images shown on a real-time screen guides the physician to the abnormality. Then, through a minimally invasive procedure, a small tissue sample is taken from the breast with a hollow needle.
Ultrasound guided biopsy
An ultrasound machine locates the breast abnormality as a screen displays the images. Then, through a minimally invasive procedure, a small tissue sample is taken from the breast with a hollow needle.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) directed biopsy
A supplementary technique to a mammography, this technique is recommended for at-risk patients or patients with dense breasts or breast implants. The MRI, which is non-invasive, can be used to evaluate the severity of the disease prior to breast cancer surgery.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy
Should cancer spread beyond the breast, it could spread to the lymph nodes. This procedure determines whether or not a complete removal of the lymph nodes is necessary. During surgery, only the first nodes in the lymphatic systems closest to the cancer are removed. The remaining nodes are not removed if found to be cancer free.
PET/CT Scan
Combines a positron emission tomography and computed tomography during the same procedure. Areas of increased metabolism are highlighted to pinpoint possible cancer cell growth, size, location, and extent of existing tumors.
Breast Cancer Treatment Techniques
Breast-Conserving Surgery
For breast cancer treatment, typically two procedures are used, mastectomies and lumpectomies. A mastectomy is the removal of one or both breasts. A lumpectomy is the removal of a specific site, usually a tumor, from the breast. In many cases removing the entire breast is not necessary. The majority of Saint Agnes patients have lumpectomy procedures, which is the surgery preferred over mastectomy by most women. At Saint Agnes, lumpectomies are performed on 66% percent of patients, which is eight percent higher than the national average. These breast - conserving procedures are minimal surgeries with faster healing times than other techniques.
Reconstruction
Various reconstruction techniques are used, based on the patient’s size, type of mastectomy, muscle condition, and skin condition. Some patients have tissue moved around to aid in the reconstruction, while others must use implants.
MammoSite Radiation Therapy
An implanted source of radiation therapy, the MammoSite is a small balloon placed in the breast after a tiny incision is made. It stays in the breast temporarily. The cells immediately adjacent to the lumpectomy cavity are affected. The technique has considerably less side effects than standard radiation therapy. MammoSite is FDA-approved and treatment time can be as few as five days.
Clinical Trials
The Saint Agnes Breast Center regularly participates in a variety of national clinical trials. For more information about current trials, please call Betsy Chandler at 410-368-2966.
