With over 620 3D mammograms already performed , the Imaging Centre of Hospital da Luz Setúbal invested in high-tech equipment to respond more effectively and with higher quality to the diagnosis of mammary pathology. Since the beginning of this year, it has available technological advanced equipment combining tomosynthesis and mammography and allowing the completion of the so-called 3D mammograms , with acknowledged benefits both for physicians, that have to make the diagnosis based on the quality of the images obtained, and for women who have to do this exam regularly, since it involves low levels of radiation comparatively to conventional exams. As is widely known, breast cancer is a major cause of death in women between 40 and 60 years of age. In that sense, early diagnosis has been the aspect most contributing to the improvement in the prognostic of the disease. «It was always a goal of Hospital da Luz Setúbal to provide the Service of Radiology of cutting-edge equipment, allowing the radiologists to make earlier diagnoses and therefore improve the prognostic of our patients», explains radiologist Sérgio Duarte, the coordinator of the service at HL Setúbal. On the other hand, Vanessa Monteiro, also radiologist at Hospital da Luz Setúbal, states: «The application of tomosynthesis combined with mammography consists in a significant advantage for our patients. The results of published studies have been consistent and demonstrate that the combined used of both techniques increases the rate of breast cancer detection». In fact, tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammogram , by allowing to view the whole breast in fine cuts, «will help solve some limitations of conventional 2D mammography. In particular, it minimizes the overlapping effects of mammary tissue, thus allowing the detection of alterations that could go unnoticed or remain hidden in conventional mammography», further states the physician, adding: «The three-dimensional viewing of tomosynthesis also allows a better characterization of the identified alterations, thus reducing the need of complementary mammographic incidences and, consequently, exposure to radiation. Also diminishing the performance of unnecessary invasive procedures». Therefore, concludes Vanessa Monteiro, «an exam is done in a few seconds and obtained during the same compression of the mammogram. Thus, being practically imperceptible for the patient». The Imaging Centre of Hospital da Luz Setúbal is a certified service, provided with cutting-edge equipment, that offers a comprehensive and high-quality response to the most complex needs of its patients.
