International School of ultrasound diagnosis

 

The Deputy Head physician in the Lviv Oblast-level Cancer Treatment and Diagnostics Centre,a surgical oncologist, Mr. Orest Tril, delivered a report as part of his attendance of the International School of ultrasound diagnosis held on November 11-12, 2016.

 

The report of Orest Volodymyrovych was focused on current realities associated with diagnosis of breast cancer and the incidence in the Lviv oblast, and the possibilities to improve early diagnosis through the introduction of screening approaches.

 

Special emphasis was placed on screening at young age, because the latest changes in the recommendations of the American anti-cancer society, specifically the start of mammography screening at the age of 45.

 

The problem at this age, in particular in terms of mammography diagnosis, is a high density of the breast. Thus, in the framework of the joint World Bank's and the Ministry of Health Care of Ukraine Project, the "Preventive oncology and the implementation of effective anti-tumour technologies" Subproject is implemented in the Lviv oblast by the Health Care Department of LOSA, including attracting high-quality equipment to deal with the diagnosis of breast cancer in the age of 45+, namely - 3D-tomosynthesis in mammography, automatic 3D ultrasound, MRI mammography, and SPECT/CT.

 

Particular attention of the diagnosticians was paid to advanced technologies associated with digital image processing: CAD (Computer programs to search for microcalcinates), fusion (image fusion of different types of examinations), as well as typical images in different types of breast cancer.

 

The report aroused interest with respect to the complexity and the combination of visualization and organizational points (screening protocol - age limits in the range between 45 and 65 years old, embedded in the electronic registry of the female population).

 

Doctors at the Lviv State Cancer Treatment and Diagnostics Centre and in the Lviv oblast, as well as the colleagues from the cancer treatment centre in Warsaw, had an opportunity to exchange experiences and to hold a discussion.

 

Reference:

 

The theoretical and practical training course "Ultrasound diagnosis of breast cancer - from norm to pathology", with participation of Pavel Huzik, MD, lecturer and consultant of the Polish school of ultrasonography (International School of ultrasound diagnostics) was held in Lviv on November 11-12, 2016.

 

Statistics show a steady increase in the incidence of breast cancer in the past 20 years without a tendency to stabilize the indicators. Each year, more than 1 million new cases of the disease are registered worldwide. Annually, over 15 thousand patients with breast cancer are detected in our country; about 7.5 thousand women die from this pathology.

 

Early detection is the best protection against breast cancer. Suffice it to note that breast cancer treatment at the first stage (tumor up to 2 cm in diameter without damage to the regional lymph nodes) makes it possible for 95% of women to recover. However, with tumor growth or its spread to the regional lymph nodes, the recovery drastically drops - up to no more than 50%.

 

Arrangement of the measures aimed at improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of women with cancer of the reproductive organs remains a pressing problem.

 

An effective way to improve the detection of malignant tumors of breast cancer may be the introduction of effective screening programs, prevention, and early diagnosis.

 

The method of ultrasonography remains at the forefront of breast pathology diagnosis. Professional development courses include a theoretical part and practical sessions which in addition to examination of patients, include fine-needle and core-needle biopsy on phantoms - in fact, often a patient takes a too long way from the detection of a formation in the breast to the establishment of the final diagnosis and selection of the treatment tactics. The experience of foreign colleagues shows that most diagnostic procedures may be carried out by a physician who performs ultrasound diagnostics.