First-of-its kind breast clinic to be launched at KMC

Chennai: An exclusive breast clinic will be opened in January for screening and treatment of breast cancer at Kilpauk Medical College led by senior oncologists and a team of technicians to screen for breast cancer.

The clinic will launch breast cancer screening facility using an advanced form of digital x-ray mammogram that would detect even the smallest lesions that appear cancerous.  

The first-of-its-kind in India machinery has three advanced forms of screening techniques that includes tomosynthesis, contrast mammography and stereo biopsy. The installed machinery will be open for public from January 2019 at a breastclinic in Kilpauk Medical College.

“Tomosynthesis, also known as three-dimensional (3-D) mammography, uses a low-dose x-ray system and computer reconstructions to create three-dimensional images of the breasts. As the process uses volume-based mammography, the imaging can be more efficient and clear in diagnosing the cancer cells,” says Dr Devi Meenal, head, radiology department, KMC.

“The contrast enhanced spectral mammography is one of the new developments in breast cancer detection that is done by injecting an iodinated contrast; such as in MRI and CT scans. Along with conventional mammography, contrast agents improve diagnostic accuracy, particularly in women,” adds Dr Devi.

Another component of the machinery, which is an advanced ultrasound set up, would offer elastography. Elastography helps to find out if the tissue is hard or soft will to help differentiate between malignant and benign tumors. A group of oncologists will offer diagnostic, clinical and surgical care at the breast clinic to all the patients from January.