Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
Breast cancer screening and diagnosis methods include imaging techniques such as mammography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Mammography helps detect abnormalities in breast tissue using x-rays. Ultrasonography uses sound waves to examine the breast tissue in detail and evaluate formations such as cysts or tumors. MRI, on the other hand, uses magnetic fields and radio waves to obtain more detailed breast images. These methods are used for early detection and accurate diagnosis of breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis at Liv Hospital
People who apply to our hospital for breast cancer screening or diagnosis are first given a physical examination by General Surgery Specialists who specialize in breast diseases, and all parameters related to the existing mass are evaluated. Patients are then directed to a Radiologist who specializes in breast diseases for the necessary radiological examinations. Depending on the patient's complaints, blood tests may be performed if necessary. Following the radiological results, the patient is directed to further examinations, if necessary, and a biopsy is performed if necessary.
Following these procedures, the current profile of the person in terms of breast cancer is created. If treatment or surgery is required, planning is made, and if treatment is not required, a follow-up program is created.
Which Physicians and Clinics are Collaborated with?
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Pathology Specialists work in collaboration with General Surgery Specialists who specialize in breast diseases.
What Examinations Are Performed?
There are many tests related to the care of your breasts. Although medical tests can be frustrating, especially while waiting for results, they are important for keeping your breasts healthy and for appropriate treatment if breast cancer develops.
If you have not been diagnosed with breast cancer before and want to benefit from the advantages of early diagnosis, if you have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, or if you are a breast cancer patient who is continuing treatment and follow-up, it is useful to know that breast cancer and medical examinations go side by side.
Most breast cancer-related examinations fall into the following categories.
- Screening examinations: Screening examinations, such as annual mammography, are routinely performed on people who appear healthy and have no suspicion of breast cancer. The aim is to detect cancer at an early stage, before any symptoms develop and when cancer is usually more easily treated.
- Diagnostic examinations: Diagnostic examinations, such as biopsies, are performed on people who have symptoms or are suspected of having breast cancer as a result of a screening test. These exams are used to determine whether breast cancer is present and, if so, whether it has spread outside the breast. Diagnostic exams are also used to gather more information about the cancer to guide decisions about treatment.
- Follow-up tests: After breast cancer is diagnosed, many tests are used during and after treatment to monitor how well treatment is going. Follow-up exams may also be used to check for any signs of cancer recurrence.
- The tests used in the screening, diagnosis and treatment process are listed below.
- Self physical examination
- Physical breast examination (by doctor)
- mammography
- breast ultrasonography
- Breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Ductal lavage
- PET-CT
- thermography
- digital tomosynthesis
- margin probe
- Molecular breast imaging
- Bone scans (bone scintigraphy)
- breast biopsy
- Lung X-ray
- Complete blood test (hemogram)
- blood chemistry
- Tumor markers
- Biological pathology tests (FISH, IHC, HER2 Dual IHS, HER2 CISH, UPAPI)
- Prognostic tests (Oncotype DX, MammaPrint, Mammostrat)