Senology is the branch of medicine that studies breast diseases. It is a complex field that was specifically developed in the last decades becoming an object of study for many specialist branches:

endocrinology, radiology, oncology, surgery, pathologic anatomy, whereas in the past it was almost exclusively attributable to the field of gynaecology as the breast is typically considered a female organ. In fact, breasts are also present in males, albeit in rudimentary form, and they are also subject to various serious diseases.

Many specialists pay specific attention to the breast because it is particularly affected by malignant tumours which is the leading cause of death in women. Current knowledge in the field of oncology and through the experience gained over many years have shown that such a complex disease requires a multidisciplinary approach at the time of diagnosis (by sonographer and radiologist) during staging (by pathologist) and when choosing treatment (surgeon, radiotherapist, oncologist, endocrinologist) so as to involve more professional expertise. Senology has thus gained its own “specific” disciplinary status in the field of medicine.

Senology aims to fight a disease that dramatically threatens the lives of women; women who could have been saved if the cancer had been detected early. An early diagnosis or even better, in the preclinical phase, would not only save their lives but it also would save the breast area from mutilating interventions.
The latter aspect is very significant given the extraordinary role breasts have in a woman’s life.

Services provided at the Dalla Rosa Prati Medical Center:

• Specialist visit + breast ultrasound + ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration of problematic lesions.
• Ultrasound guided cutting-needle biopsy that obtains more tissue than the fine-needle aspiration for a more precise and thorough examination (can be performed in the medical centre or in operating room with anaesthesia for more complex cases and for anxious patients).
• Small interventions for the removal of suspicious lumps under local anaesthesia and anaesthesia assistance.
• Interdisciplinary approach to breast diseases with the collaboration of a radiologist.

COMPREHENSIVE BREAST SCREENING FOR INCREASED PREVENTION

Medical prevention is a very important value for Clinica San Francesco, especially when the health of many women is at stake. Among the outpatient services in the diagnostic department, an important role is played by breast examination.

This type of investigation includes several diagnostic tests:

• breast examination
• mammography
• breast ultrasound

Mammography consists of an X-ray of the breasts lasting about ten minutes. Generally, the examination is painless, but it may happen, however, that some women experience some discomfort due to compression of the breasts..

The ultrasound technician will print two images for each breast, top to bottom and side to side; if the patient has previously had a mammogram, medical specialists will compare the new images with previous diagnostic investigations.

Before performing the examination, it is important to know whether the patient is in an established or presumed pregnancy.

WHEN TO DO NEEDLE ASPIRATION

When the presence of secretion or a nodule that needs further diagnostic investigation is detected, the patient is informed of the need to proceed with further examinations including needle aspiration, with which material is taken for anatomopathological study.

In nonpalpable lesions, needle aspirates are guided by ultrasonography or mammography. In this case, the radiologist personally informs the patient of the result of cytohistological samples taken during the diagnostic procedure..

La senologia è la branca della medicina che studia le malattie della mammella. Propriamente in anatomia per seno si intende il solco posto tra le due salienze mammarie ma è invalso l’uso di utilizzare questo termine come sinonimo di mammella.

La senologia è la branca della medicina che studia le malattie della mammella. Propriamente in anatomia per seno si intende il solco posto tra le due salienze mammarie ma è invalso l’uso di utilizzare questo termine come sinonimo di mammella.