Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land by Houston Methodist Sugar Land

LEADING BREAST CANCER IMAGING. LEADING TO A CURE. HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND HOSPITAL

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital would like to thank the ladies of the Fort Bend Junior Service League for their part in our breast cancer awareness efforts, as well as their continuing commitment to our community.

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HOUSTON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

IT MATTERS WHERE YOU HAVE YOUR MAMMOGRAM Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land offers women a lifesaving difference.

Our breast care navigator will help you:

We’ve all been told about the importance of yearly mammograms. What’s of equal

2. Make appropriate decisions by ensuring that you are educated and fully

importance, however, is where you have your mammogram. The Breast Care Center is the leading breast imaging facility in Fort Bend County. Staffed by

1. Understand the continuum of care, which generally begins with discussions of your exam findings and your different procedure options. understand each of your options. 3. Feel empowered in your care through participation in support groups

renowned breast radiologists, the Breast Care Center offers women some of the

such as Survivors Offering Support, CanCare,® the American Cancer

best diagnostic services available.

Society and others.

If your care extends beyond your yearly mammogram, our breast care navigator

In addition, our breast care navigator will facilitate your various appointments

will be there to guide you through the emotional and complex journey from

with the proper Breast Care Center physicians, as well as coordinate other

diagnosis to survivorship — so that you can focus on healing.

health appointment needs that may arise during your care. Our breast care navigator will attend weekly patient case review sessions where a multidisciplinary breast care team discusses your personalized treatment plan, so that she knows exactly how your care is proceeding and what steps may be next.

You don’t have to go through treatment feeling alone or uncertain — call our breast care navigator at 281.276.8989.

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HO U STON METHODIST BR EAST CAR E C ENTER AT S U GA R L A N D

If you have had a mammogram at another facility, please let us know at the time you schedule your appointment, and we will help you obtain your prior films. 2

HOUSTON METHOD I ST. O R G /S U GAR LAND

HOUSTON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

YOUR MAMMOGRAM IS PERFORMED WITH THE LATEST IMAGING TECHNOLOGY The findings are interpreted by some of the foremost breast radiologists in the country. The Breast Care Center is the first full-service center of its kind in Fort Bend County. Women can rely on the Breast Care Center for state-of-the-art technology, compassionate care, and a commitment to maintaining the very latest in diagnostic and treatment technology. By employing groundbreaking advances in both technology and practices, the breast radiologists at the Breast Care Center are able to more quickly and accurately make a diagnosis. Your test results are electronically archived for use as a benchmark for subsequent years and are available upon request. If you have had a mammogram at another facility, please let us know at the time you schedule your appointment, and we will help you obtain your prior films. The Breast Care Center radiologists can better interpret any abnormalities based on a complete history of your mammograms.

State-of-the-Art Breast Cancer Diagnostics • • • •

Digital Mammography 3-D Mammography Breast Ultrasound Breast MRI

• • • •

Molecular Breast Imaging MRI Guided Biopsy Ultrasound Biopsy Stereotactic Biopsy

See inserts in the back pocket of this brochure for more details on these services.

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BREAST CARE CENTER MEDICAL DIRECTOR Dr. Stephen Phillips, medical director of the Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land, joined us from the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He is board certified in diagnostic radiology and fellowship trained in breast imaging

Dr. Stephen Phillips Breast Radiologist

and intervention. He is a Fellow of the American College of Radiology and has a long history of teaching, researching and writing for medical journals on breast radiology.

HOUSTON METHOD I ST. O R G /S U GAR LAND

"We provide the latest breast imaging technology and diagnostic procedures â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all here under one roof. We have options available to us that other imaging centers don't, and together with our breast care team and our patients, we decide on the course of action that is best for each patient's individual needs." - Dr. Stephen Phillips

HOUSTON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

IF YOUR MAMMOGRAM IS ABNORMAL... IF BREAST CANCER IS DETECTEDâ&#x20AC;Ś IF RADIATION IS REQUIREDâ&#x20AC;Ś

In the event an abnormality is found in your mammogram, the Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land is the best place to be. Any further testing can be completed at the Breast Care Center, freeing you from the stress of having to visit several different facilities. Our breast radiologists will supervise the diagnostic evaluation and perform image-guided core needle biopsies, if necessary.

Rest assured, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital offers Fort Bend County the only full-service oncology program. If breast cancer is detected, our breast care navigator will coordinate your care and schedule your appointments with the appropriate specialists on our breast care team, including breast surgeons, reconstructive surgeons, oncologists and radiation oncologists. Our breast care team members will work closely with each other to ensure continuity of care.

Our renowned radiation oncologist relies on the latest technology and innovations to tailor a treatment program for each patient. For some patients, high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy reduces the time needed for treatment to five days rather than six weeks. This therapy uses strategically placed catheters to deliver precise levels of radiation directly to the tumor site, which also helps protect surrounding breast tissue. Other leading-edge therapies available are intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and TrueBeam. IMRT is an advanced mode of high-precision radiotherapy that utilizes computer-controlled linear accelerators to deliver precise radiation doses. TrueBeam treats cancer faster, deals effectively with tumor motion and improves the patient experience. TrueBeam imaging technology can produce the three-dimensional images used to fine-tune tumor targeting in 60 percent less time.

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HO U STON METHODIST BR EAST CAR E C ENTER AT S U GA R L A N D

Emotional Support The Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land offers a number of support services for patients and their families who have been diagnosed and are undergoing breast cancer treatment. • Survivors Offering Support Helps women understand that breast cancer affects them emotionally and spiritually as well as physically, and provides a road map for achieving a happier, healthier future after cancer. For more information, please contact the Department of Spiritual Care

MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital holds weekly case reviews with a multidisciplinary breast care team including breast radiologists, pathologists, breast surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologist, reconstructive surgeons and the breast care navigator. During a case review, the breast care team discusses newly diagnosed patients and creates personalized treatment plans. This service provides our patients with the comfort of knowing that they are being cared for by a team of specialized physicians who truly care.

at 281.274.7164. • Look Good…Feel Better Teaches female cancer patients beauty tips to look better and feel good about themselves during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. • Reach to Recovery Provides a breast cancer survivor volunteer who gives comfort and facilitates informed decision-making for those going through treatment. For more information on Look Good...Feel Better or Reach to Recovery, please contact the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Cancer Center at 281.242.CURE (2873) or the American Cancer Society at 1.800.227.2345.

SEEKING A SECOND OPINION If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer by another facility and are seeking a second opinion, we are here for you. When you request a second opinion at the Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land, our breast care navigator will schedule a consultation with a member of our breast care team. To schedule your consultation now, contact the breast care navigator at 281.276.8989.

• CanCare

MAKING THE DECISION

The patient is matched with a CanCare volunteer who has

Choosing the Houston Methodist Breast Care Center at Sugar Land for your

experienced the same type of cancer for one-on-one

breast care means that regardless of your stage, your care will be delivered with

emotional support.

your total well-being as the main focus. All the while, you can take advantage

For more information, please visit cancare.org or call 713.461.0028.

HOUSTON METHOD I ST. O R G /S U GAR LAND

of the conveniences of care close to home with state-of-the-art technology and designated, free parking.

HOUSTON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

SCHEDULE NOW Your annual mammogram is an important screening tool â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and it does make a difference where you have it done. Easily schedule your screening mammogram online at houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 281.242.PINK (7465).

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STATE-OF-THE-ART SERVICES Mammography

Molecular Breast Imaging

There are two types of mammograms:

Molecular breast imaging (MBI) is an imaging technique that can identify

• Screening Mammogram - Used for women who have no personal history of

tumors in mammographically dense breasts often not visible with digital

breast cancer and have normal physical exams. • Diagnostic Mammogram - Recommended for patients who have an area

mammography or ultrasound. Mammography uses X-ray technology, so the images of both tumors and dense breast tissue often appear white. Clinical

of concern or suspicious change in their clinical exam or have a personal

studies show that MBI allows differentiation of the tumor and is able to detect

history of breast cancer.

up to three times as many cancers in women with dense breast tissue. The

3-D Mammography 3-D Mammography utilizes advanced tomosynthesis technology improving the ability to detect cancer at the earliest stages, while using the lowest radiation exposure available in the market. 3-D can be used for both screening and diagnostic mammograms. If you have had a mammogram at another facility, please let us know when you schedule your appointment, and we will help you obtain your prior films. The Breast Care Center radiologists can better interpret any abnormalities based on a complete history of your mammograms.

radiation dose is roughly equivalent to digital mammography.

Biopsy A breast biopsy is performed based on the abnormal findings from a mammogram, ultrasound or MRI. The type of biopsy performed in most cases is a core needle biopsy. The procedure involves removing small pieces of the tissue with a needle. Similar needles are used for all image guided biopsies. There are several types of core needle biopsies: • Stereotactic Biopsy - Used when suspicious areas are visible in a mammogram. This type of biopsy is guided by 2-D digital X-ray.

Ultrasound A breast ultrasound is performed if a lump or area of concern is identified on a mammogram. The breast ultrasound helps the radiologist determine if a lump is filled with water, which is a cyst, or is solid tissue. If the lump is identified as solid, a biopsy may be needed. Though ultrasounds are helpful, they do not replace mammograms, as most early cancer identifiers are not visible with ultrasound.

Breast MRI A breast MRI is a very sensitive test used to look for breast cancer by using

• 3-D Stereotactic Biopsy - Used when suspicious areas are visible in a mammogram. This type of biopsy is guided by 3-D tomosynthesis imaging. • Ultrasound Biopsy - Used when suspicious areas are visible with ultrasound. This type of biopsy is guided by ultrasound. • MRI Guided Biopsy - At times, a cancerous area will show up on a breast MRI that is not seen by mammogram or ultrasound. In those cases, an MRI guided biopsy is necessary to obtain a sample of the tissue for further examination.

magnetic fields instead of radiation to look inside the body. Patients with a high risk of breast cancer, newly diagnosed breast cancer or those who have questionable findings from a complex mammogram are candidates for a breast MRI.

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Easily schedule your screening mammogram online at houstonmethodist.org/appointments or by calling 281.242. PINK (7465).

MAMMOGRAPHY & BREAST ULTRASOUND

H O U STON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

Mammography

Screening Mammogram

â&#x20AC;˘ When should I get my first mammogram?

A screening mammogram is used to detect breast cancer in women who have no

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other medical groups recommend that women with an average risk of breast cancer begin annual mammograms at age 40 and continue as long as the individual is in relatively good health. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast examination as part

personal history of breast cancer and have a normal clinical breast exam. The screening consists of two to three X-rays of each breast taken by a certified mammography technologist and interpreted by breast radiologists.

of a routine physical every three years. At 40 years of age and thereafter, clinical breast

Diagnostic Mammogram

examinations should be done annually.

A diagnostic mammogram is recommended for patients who have noticed an area of

Women with a family history of breast cancer should discuss screening options with their physician. However, many breast specialists are recommending that women with a strong family history of cancer begin annual screenings at an earlier age with a breast ultrasound or MRI in addition to regular mammograms. Breast selfexaminations should be performed regularly, such as monthly, starting at age 20. â&#x20AC;˘ Are there different types of mammograms, and which one should I have? There are two types of mammograms, screening and diagnostic. The type of mammogram that is best for you depends on your medical history and breast symptoms. The Breast Care Center only utilizes state-of-the-art digital mammography. This means that the X-ray taken of the breast is captured by a computer. Studies show that digital mammography is better than conventional film mammography, particularly for

concern or suspicious change in the clinical examination of the breast, have had an abnormal screening mammogram or have a personal history of breast cancer. If your doctor has noticed a change in your breast clinical exam, a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound will be ordered to clarify the finding and determine if a biopsy is needed.

3-D Mammography 3-D mammography utilizes advanced tomosynthesis technology improving the ability to detect cancer at the earliest stages, while using the lowest radiation exposure available in the market. GeniusTM 3-D Mammography is the first and only clinically superior 3-D mammography approved by the FDA, providing clearer images, more accurate screenings and reducing the number of false positives.

women with dense breasts.

Easily schedule your screening mammogram online at houstonmethodist.org/appointments or by calling 281.242. PINK (7465). Schedule your diagnostic mammogram and/or breast ultrasound by calling 281.242.PINK (7465).

MAMMOGRAPHY & BREAST ULTRASOUND

H O U STON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

For all new breast imaging patients: If you have had a mammogram at another facility, please let us know at the time you schedule your appointment, and we will help you obtain your prior films. The Breast Care Center radiologists can better interpret any abnormalities based on a complete history of your mammograms.

â&#x20AC;˘ How should I prepare for my mammogram?

Breast Ultrasound

On the day of your mammogram you should make sure not to use any deodorant,

â&#x20AC;˘ What is a breast ultrasound?

powder or lotion of any kind under your arms or on your breasts, as the chemicals

A breast ultrasound helps the radiologist determine if a lump or mass is filled with

from these products can interfere with the reading. It is important for the radiologist

fluid or is solid tissue. Masses that are clearly filled with fluid are called cysts and are

to compare your current mammogram with any previous studies. If you have had

usually not cancer. If the lump looks like it is solid, a biopsy may be needed to make

mammograms at another facility, please bring them with you at the time of your

the final diagnosis.

appointment or let us know at the time you schedule your appointment, and we will help you obtain your prior films. Some cancers are very hard to see in a single mammogram and may only become visible if the previous image is available for comparison. The mammogram itself involves compression. If you have very sensitive breasts, try to avoid scheduling your mammogram the week before your period because that is when breasts are most sensitive.

Ultrasounds involve skin contact with gel and a transducer. There is no breast compression, and most women find the procedure painless. Ultrasounds can be very helpful, but they do not take the place of mammography. Most early cancers that are visible as micro-calcifications in the mammogram, for example, will not be visible with the ultrasound.

BREAST MRI & MRI GUIDED BIOPSY

H O U STON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

Breast MRI â&#x20AC;˘ What is a breast MRI and what should I expect? MRI is an imaging technique that uses magnetic fields instead of radiation to look inside the body. During your breast MRI, you will be asked to lie face down with your breasts placed in openings in the table. A contrast material is injected through a vein. The exam generally lasts between 30 minutes and one hour, and both breasts are examined simultaneously. It is very important to stay still during the MRI for an accurate reading. If you are claustrophobic, you can ask your referring physician about a mild sedative that may help make the procedure more comfortable. There is only a small amount of breast compression applied to the breast to prevent motion during an MRI procedure. The amount of compression is significantly less than mammography, and most patients are comfortable throughout the procedure. â&#x20AC;˘ When will my doctor ask for a breast MRI? The indications for breast MRI are constantly changing as more data becomes available. In addition to being used as a better tool for breast cancer detection in patients with high risk for breast cancer, this technique can be used to help identify questionable findings arising from a complex mammogram or physical exam. Young women who have certain genetic mutations may have improved detection of early cancers with breast MRI rather than mammography. Breast MRI is useful for deciding treatment in women who have already been diagnosed with cancer, patients with very dense breast tissue and those with a strong family history of breast cancer.

Women at high risk (greater than 20 percent lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year.

If you have questions or concerns about your procedure, please contact the Breast Care Center nurse at 281.275.0106, or to schedule an appointment, call 281.242.PINK (7465).

BREAST MRI & MRI GUIDED BIOPSY

H O U STON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

• Why do I need an MRI guided biopsy, and what should I expect?

• Will the magnetic field interact with anything on or in my body?

MRI is a very sensitive test to look for breast cancer. Sometimes cancer will show

The magnet used in breast MRI can interfere with metal objects in your body.

up in a breast MRI that is not seen in the mammogram or ultrasound. In these

Patients should make sure to alert the technologist before the procedure if they

cases, the only way to take a biopsy (sample the tissue from the lump) is to guide a

have a/an:

needle into the lesion using an MRI. MRI biopsy is a type of core needle biopsy (see

• Artificial heart valve

stereotactic insert for more information about core needle biopsies). The procedure is performed while lying on the stomach. Once the radiologist identifies the finding, a computer program is used to determine the position of the needle in the breast. The breast radiologist administers local anesthesia, makes a small cut in the skin, and places the needle in the area of concern to withdraw the tissue to sample the lump. The removed tissue is sent to the laboratory where a pathologist will examine it and determine the diagnosis. Usually the radiologist will leave a small metal clip in the area of the biopsy. The clip helps identify the mass in future mammograms. Also, if the lump is a small cancer, the clip helps the surgeon find and remove this small area accurately. • What can I expect after the biopsy procedure? You will be instructed to keep the breast area dry for 24 hours. Strenuous activity such as heavy lifting or aerobic activity should be avoided during this time. Most women find that they can resume their normal activities the day after the procedure. It is important to carefully follow the post-procedure instructions so that any circumstances specific to you will be taken care of properly. In order to reduce the amount of bruising, which is common in this procedure, the nurse will apply pressure to the biopsy site at the conclusion of the procedure. You will be instructed to place ice on your breast at intervals throughout the remainder of the day. As with any needle procedure, bleeding and infection at the biopsy site can occur, so be sure to follow all instructions carefully. The pathology report is usually ready in a few days after the biopsy. This report will be sent to your referring physician and breast radiologist. Your physician or breast radiologist will call you with the results, ask how you are healing, and answer any questions or concerns you might have.

• Joint prosthesis

• Implanted drug infusion port

• Implanted nerve stimulator

• Infusion catheter

• Metal pins

• IUD

• Screws, plates or surgical staples

• Artificial limb

• Clip for brain aneurysm

Breast MRI cannot be performed on people who have a/an:

• Internal defibrillator

• Cochlear implant

• Implanted electronic device (pacemaker)

Patients are instructed prior to the procedure to remove:

• Jewelry and watches

• Removable dental work

• Credit cards

• Pens

• Hearing aids

• Pocket knives

• Hairpins

• Eye glasses

• Metal zippers

• Clothing accessories

• How do I schedule a breast MRI or MRI guided biopsy? If the breast radiologist recommends that you have a breast MRI or MRI guided biopsy, your referring physician will send orders to the Breast Care Center. Once these orders are received, a scheduler will contact you to schedule your biopsy and conduct a pre-procedure phone consultation. The scheduler will give you specific instructions about what to do before the procedure.

ULTRASOUND BIOPSY â&#x20AC;˘ What is an ultrasound biopsy? An ultrasound biopsy is a type of core needle biopsy

(see stereotactic insert for more information about

core needle biopsies).

An ultrasound biopsy is done when a lump can be seen with ultrasound. Usually ultrasound biopsies are the quickest and easiest of all biopsy procedures. You will lie on your back or slightly on your side, just as if a routine ultrasound is being performed. During an ultrasound biopsy, the radiologist injects local anesthetic to numb the area. Through a small cut in the skin, a needle is inserted and pieces of tissue are removed. This incision is so small that stitches

are unnecessary.

A small metal clip is placed in the area of the biopsy. The clip helps identify the mass on future mammograms. Also, if the lump is cancer, the clip helps the surgeon find and remove this very small area accurately.

H O U STON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

STEREOTACTIC BIOPSY

H O U STON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

Core Needle Biopsy

Stereotactic Biopsy

â&#x20AC;˘ What is a core needle biopsy?

â&#x20AC;˘ What is a stereotactic biopsy?

Core needle biopsies include stereotactic biopsies using X-ray, ultrasound biopsies

A stereotactic biopsy is guided by either 3-D tomosynthesis or digital X-ray. It is most

and MRI guided biopsies. A core needle biopsy is a procedure used to determine

helpful in sampling areas of calcifications that look suspicious on your mammogram.

whether a suspicious calcification or lump is cancer. Whether benign or cancerous,

The 2-D stereotactic biopsy is performed on the prone biopsy table, and the 3-D

lumps can look similar, and the only way to find out is to remove a piece of the lump

tomosynthesis stereotactic biopsy is performed in the upright position. Your breast

with a biopsy. The tissue removed is then sent to a pathologist who examines it under

will be held in compression during the procedure. It is very important that you take the

a microscope and determines whether or not it is cancerous.

time to get comfortable so that you can stay perfectly still, as any movement or talking

Core needle biopsies are different from surgical biopsies in that only small pieces

can interfere with the biopsy.

of the lump are removed through a very small cut in the skin. Surgical biopsies

During the biopsy, the breast radiologist will inject local anesthetic to numb the area.

usually remove the entire lump through a larger cut in the skin. Needle biopsies are

A needle is inserted in the breast and pieces of tissue are removed. The skin incision

recommended for suspicious imaging findings. Both types of biopsies have the

is so small that stitches are not needed. The breast radiologist will X-ray the tissue

same accuracy rate.

removed to make sure that calcifications have been removed, and will place a tiny clip marking the biopsy site. The clip will not be seen or felt by you or others and will not interfere with any of your daily activities. The procedure will generally last 30 minutes to one hour.

If you have questions or concerns about your procedure, please contact the Breast Care Center nurse at 281.275.0106, or to schedule an appointment call, 281.242.PINK (7465).

ULTRASOUND BIOPSY

H O U STON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

â&#x20AC;˘ What can I expect after my ultrasound biopsy?

You will be instructed to keep the breast area dry for 24 hours. Strenuous activity such as weight lifting or aerobic activity should be avoided during this time. Most women find that they can resume their normal activities the next day. It is important to carefully follow the post-procedure instructions so any circumstances specific to your case are taken care of properly. It is normal to have bruising after a breast biopsy. In order to reduce the amount of bruising, the nurse will apply pressure to the biopsy site at the end of the procedure. You will be instructed to place ice on your breast at intervals throughout the remainder of the day. As with any needle procedure, bleeding and infection at the biopsy site can occur, so be sure to follow all instructions carefully.

Usually the pathology results are ready within a few days. This report will go to your referring physician and your breast radiologist. Your referring physician or breast radiologist will call you to inform you of the results, ask how you are healing, and answer any questions or concerns you might have. â&#x20AC;˘ How do I schedule an ultrasound biopsy? If the breast radiologist recommends an ultrasound biopsy, your referring physician will be consulted, after which his/her office will send orders for the procedure to the Breast Care Center. Once these orders are received, a scheduler will contact you to schedule your biopsy and conduct a pre-procedure phone consultation. The scheduler will give you specific instructions about what to do before the procedure.

If you have questions or concerns about your procedure, please contact the Breast Care Center nurse at 281.275.0106, or to schedule an appointment call, 281.242.PINK (7465).

STEREOTACTIC BIOPSY â&#x20AC;˘ What can I expect after my stereotactic biopsy? You will be instructed to keep the breast area dry for 24 hours after the biopsy. Also, strenuous activity like weight lifting or aerobic activity should be avoided during this time. Most women find that they can resume their normal activities the day after the biopsy procedure. It is important to carefully follow the post-procedure instructions so that any circumstances specific to you will be taken care of properly. It is normal to have bruising after a breast biopsy. In order to reduce the amount of bruising, the nurse will apply pressure to the biopsy site at the end of the procedure. You will be instructed to place ice on your breast at intervals throughout the remainder of the day. As with any needle procedure, bleeding and infection at the biopsy site can occur,

so be sure to follow all instructions carefully.

for the procedure to the Breast Care Center. Once these orders are received,

a scheduler will contact you to schedule your biopsy and conduct a pre-procedure phone consultation. The scheduler will give you specific instructions about what to do before the procedure.

H O U STON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

MOLECULAR BREAST IMAGING (MBI)

H O U STON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

• What is molecular breast imaging?

• When will my doctor ask for molecular breast imaging?

Molecular breast imaging (MBI) is an imaging technique that can identify tumors

Your physician may recommend molecular breast imaging to help identify

in mammographically dense breasts often not visible with digital mammography or

questionable findings arising from a mammogram or if lumps are found with a

ultrasound. Mammography uses X-ray technology, so the images of both tumors

physical exam. Women who have dense breast tissue may have improved detection

and dense breast tissue often appear white. Clinical studies show that MBI allows

of early breast cancer with MBI in conjunction with mammography. Breast density can

differentiation of the tumor and is able to detect up to three times as many cancers in

be determined by your breast radiologist using mammography.

women with dense breast tissue. The radiation dose is roughly equivalent to

digital mammography.

In addition to dense breast tissue, your physician may order MBI if you

meet any of the following:

• You have abnormal findings after a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound

• You are at a high risk for malignancy or for the evaluation of a suspected recurrence

• You have breast implants

• You need to have an MRI but you have an implant such as a pacemaker

• You have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

• You were recently diagnosed with breast cancer

• To assess your response to chemotherapy

• How do I schedule a molecular breast imaging exam?

Your referring physician will write you an order. To schedule your appointment,

call 281.242.PINK (7465).

MOLECULAR BREAST IMAGING (MBI)

H O U STON ME T HODIST BR E AST CAR E CE NT E R AT SUGAR LAND

â&#x20AC;˘ What should I expect during my MBI exam? Photo comparison of mammography versus molecular breast imaging of a lesion in a patient with dense breast tissue.

You will be injected with a low dose of the MBI radiotracer, which will accumulate in any tumor that might be present. Your breasts will be imaged in the standard mammogram positions. Each image takes approximately 10 minutes to acquire. The breast is held in position with gentle compression, which is much lighter than the compression used for a mammogram, and you remain seated for the exam. After the images are acquired, they are interpreted by a board-certified breast radiologist.

If you have questions or concerns about your procedure, please contact our breast care navigator at 281.276.8989.

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