SOLUTIONS
Want to learn about the latest effective weight loss techniques?
Click here.

Diagnostic Services

(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) MRI:

The images of MRI are similar to CT Scans in appearance, but in most cases offer much more information. MRI is a safe form of imaging because it dose not use ionizing radiation (x-rays). Additionally, it does not routinely require the injection of contrast agents to produce images. The magnetic resonance (MR) examination allows the radiologist to evaluate symptoms identified by your physician. The test my help answer problems which are difficult or impossible to resolve by other imaging methods. The MR offers better images of soft tissue, like bone marrow and the brain. It may, however, occasionally require confirmation by other procedures. In most cases, no preparation is necessary for an MR study. You will need to remove all metallic objects from your body (keys, jewelry, hearing aids, etc.) Patients with pacemakers or who have had certain types of vascular surgery cannot undergo the MR Scan.

The entire scan will take approximately 30 minutes. During the procedure you will lie awake on a sliding table inside a magnet. You will be asked to lie still and relax while the scan is being performed. During the scan you will hear a tapping noise. This is caused by the changing magnetic fields which indicates that the scans are being made. Headphones are available to reduce the noise. The entire scan is painless.

Breast Cancer Detection:

Early Warning Signs of Breast Cancer
The warning signs of breast cancer include a lump or thickening in the breast or underarm, discharge from the nipple, a change in breast size or shape, or a change in the color or feel of the skin or nipple, such as dimpling, puckering, or scaliness. To detect an abnormality, you should perform a self-exam monthly and have a doctor or nurse exam you annually. Mammography (an 'X- ray' picture of the breast) screening is the single most effective method to detect breast changes that may be cancerous, long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt. But, it must be done routinely. As women age, their risk of breast cancer increases. For most women, high-quality mammography screening should begin at the age of 40.

Mammography:

One out of every eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer during her lifetime and one out of every three women diagnosed as having breast cancer will die.

Women at Risk
As your age increases beyond 20, the greater the risk of you becoming a one–in–eight breast cancer statistic. Other factors also contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer, including a history of breast cancer in your family, having your first child after age 30, or being beyond age 30 and having no children.

Symptoms to Look For
Important symptoms to look for include lumps, nipple abnormalities, unusual sensations, and a change in the contour of either breast, swelling, dimpling, or thickening of the breasts. If you notice any of these symptoms through self–examination, consult your physician. If you have no symptoms, the American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines to assist in the early detection of breast cancer:

 Age  BSE*  Mammogram  Physical
 20-34  monthly  as needed  every 3 years
 35-40  monthly  baseline  every 3 years
 41-49  monthly  1-2 years  annually
 50-up  monthly  Mammogram  annually

*Breast self-examination

What is a Breast Biopsy?
If a suspicious lesion (tissue abnormality) is found in your breast, your doctor will typically request that a biopsy be performed. A biopsy is the removal and examination of tissue to establish precise diagnosis. This is the way to determine if a lesion is benign or malignant. In general, biopsies may be performed with local anesthesia and patients enjoy a quick return to normal activities.

There are three common biopsy procedures for non-palpable (ones that can be felt) lesions: needle localization with open surgical biopsy - This type of biopsy is a two-step procedure that begins in a radiology suite, where a radiologist manually places a wire marker into the breast to identify the location of the lesion. The patient is then moved to a surgical suite where the surgeon, using the wire marker as a guide, finds the specimen and removes it through an open incision.

core needle biopsy - Core needle biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a needle with a cutting edge to remove multiple samples of tissue from the breast.

fine needle aspiration or vacuum assisted biopsy - This procedure is a one-step process, performed under local anesthesia that combines the placement of the wire marker and retrieval of a specimen into one minimally invasive procedure.

While the patient lies on the ABBI system table, the physician uses advanced stereotactic x-ray technology to remove the lesion. The area is numbed with a local anesthesia and a needle is placed to identify the precise location of the lesion to within one millimeter. A state-of-the-art ABBI biopsy device is used to remove a specimen through a narrow tube. The opening is then closed with a few stitches.

It's important to note that for all biopsy techniques, if the results show that the sample is cancerous, another operation is needed to remove the remainder of the lesion.

Need more information about any of our services?

For more information, please contact "Call-A-Nurse" at 800-982-9799, 940-764-8570 or use our online Call-A-Nurse form.