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PATIENT SERVICES / PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Breast Center

The Medical City’s Breast Center is the center for ambulatory care of women at risk for developing breast cancer or already diagnosed with the disease. The Center also delivers screening packages for breast cancer and subsequent same-day breast ultrasound if needed for better interpretation of mammographies. So whether it is prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or a second opinion that is sought, the Center is ready to help find the answers in a quick and timely manner.

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The Medical City’s Breast Center is the center for ambulatory care of women at risk for developing breast cancer or already diagnosed with the disease. The Center also delivers screening packages for breast cancer and subsequent same-day breast ultrasound if needed for better interpretation of mammographies. So whether it is prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or a second opinion that is sought, the Center is ready to help find the answers in a quick and timely manner.

The Breast Center likewise operates the country’s first Stereotactic Mammotome Breast Biopsy System which allows computer-guided, minimally invasive biopsies that preserve breast tissue and can be done quickly and safely. Its superior imaging modalities include Digital Mammogram, Breast Ultrasound, and Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Biopsy Coil, a device that maps the tumor’s location inside the breast more sharply.

The latest addition to the Breast Center’s most advanced technology is the Digital Breast Tomosynthesis, a newly developed form of three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the breast which offers a clearer and more accurate view compared to digital mammography (2D) alone.

The advantages of digital breast tomosynthesis include improved diagnostic capabilities, clearer images of dense breast tissue, earlier detection of small breast cancers, fewer unnecessary biopsies or additional tests and less emotional and physical stress for patients, among others.

Services

  • Comprehensive Breast Consultation – with Breast Surgeons
  • Breast Imaging Procedures
  • Digital Mammography is imaging through ionizing radiation and is also called Full-Field Digital Mammography (FFDM).  It is done annually on asymptomatic women starting at 40 years old as a screening tool to detect early breast cancer or upon the request of the Attending Physician (AP).  The procedure is also used to evaluate a patient with symptoms such as a breast lump/lumps, pain and/or nipple discharge.
  • Digital Breast Tomosynthesis is a newly developed form of three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the breast to improve the accuracy of Mammography (2D).  It is done on symptomatic women such as those with a breast mass, pain, asymmetric thickening/nodularity or nipple discharge at age 40 and above.
  • Digital Mammography (Compression Magnification) entails the use of a magnification table to allow the interpreting practitioner to assess the area of suspicious microcalcification for size, shape and distribution of the particles. 
  • Digital Mammography (Spot Compression) (also called a compression mammogram, a focal compression mammogram, or focal compression) is a type of mammogram in which only a small area of the breast is compressed (by a small plate or cone) during the procedure.  The purpose of a spot compression mammogram is to achieve better imaging of a particular region of the breast.
  • Ultrasonography is an imaging tool that uses high frequency sound waves.  It is done to characterize breast lumps as either solid or cystic, and also done in women less than 40 years old or pregnant women with breast problems.
  • Ultrasound-guided Breast Procedures is done to determine the diagnosis for a breast mass.  This procedure takes about 30 minutes and is done under ultrasound guidance.  It is used in the following biopsy procedures:
  • Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is a procedure that uses a fine gauge needle to extract fluid from a cyst.
  • Core Needle Biopsy (CN) uses a g14 or large bore needle to remove tissue samples from a suspicious mass.  At least five samples are taken.
  • Vacuum-assisted device (Mammotome) uses a core needle with vacuum assistance to collect multiple tissue samples in one insertion.  This is usually done to completely excise benign lesions of the breast.
  • Needle or wire localization uses a guide wire that is placed into the breast to help the Surgeon locate the lesion for open surgical biopsy.
  • Mammography-guided Breast Procedures are done to get tissue confirmation from a mammographically detected suspicious area of the breast.
  • Vacuum-assisted device (Mammotome) with stereotactic guidance, which uses a core needle with vacuum assistance to collect multiple tissue samples in one insertion.  The procedure takes about two hours.
  • Needle localization is a procedure in which a guide wire is placed into the suspicious area to help the breast surgeon located the lesion for open surgical biopsy.
  • Ultrasound-guided Breast Marking is done to assist the Surgeon in locating breast modules specifically non-palpable lesions.  This procedure takes about 15-30 minutes.

Special Procedures

  • Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
  • Ultrasound-Guided Core Needle Biopsy
  • Ultrasound-Guided Vacuum-Assisted (Mammotome) Excision Biopsy
  • Ultrasound-Guided Needle Localization or Wire Localization
  • Ultrasound-Guided Breast Marking
  • Stereotactic (Mammography-Guided Vacuum-Assisted Excision) Breast Biopsy
  • Mammogram-Guided Needle or Wire Localization

Our Team

Consultant Director

Erwin B. Alcazaren, MD

Assistant Manager

Karen Naval

Breast Surgeons

Aldine Astrid A. Basa, MD

Emeterio M. Banatin Jr., MD

Norman S. Bustos, MD

Pierette V. Kaw, MD

Mary Geraldine Remucal, MD

Ricky A. Solamo, MD

Romel T. Menguito, MD

Breast Radiologist

Kimberly U. Ang-Baluyut, MD

Heidi Herminia C. Santos, MD

Janeth Malabuyoc-Atienza, MD

Reza Maria K. Sales, MD

Michelle E. Ramos-Atienza, MD

Anna Victoria Figueroa-Hinds, MD

Maria Christina Difontorium-Anto, MD