The diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases – and, especially, breast cancer – require a multidisciplinary approach, with the simultaneous and complementary contribution of professionals from different medical and clinical areas. Hospital da Luz Coimbra has available a Breast Centre , counting with a team of specialists dedicated to breast pathology and all the necessary means for the diagnosis and therapeutic guidance of the patient with breast cancer. “The multidisciplinary approach is ensured via meetings, where specialists from the different areas of diagnosis and treatment analyse the clinical cases of every patient with breast pathology, making sure to offer the most adequate treatment for each specific case”, explains Cristina Frutuoso , gynaecologist and coordinator of the Breast Centre from Hospital da Luz Coimbra. “In breast cancer, the approach tends to be increasingly individualized, based on the type of tumour and the characteristics of the patient”, she adds. This centre integrates specialists in: Gynaecology-Obstetrics; Oncologic Gynaecology; Medical Oncology; Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetical Surgery; Imaging; Radiotherapy; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (physiotherapy); Nutrition; Psycho-Oncology. “Based on the characteristics of the tumour, the type of treatment is decided. It is quite frequent the need to resort the chemotherapy, which can occur before or after the surgery, according to the size and type of tumour. It may be necessary only hormone therapy, only chemotherapy, chemotherapy and antibodies, or the three groups of therapeutic agents. All of these treatments can be made in this Breast Centre”, highlights Cristina Frutuoso. It is worth reminding that Hospital da Luz network also counts with the Oncology Direct Line operating 24 hours a day. This service, that can be used by anyone, clients and non-clients of Hospital da Luz, ensures an easy and quick access to all healthcare necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In the photo above , the physicians of Hospital da Luz Coimbra Breast Centre Cristina Frutuoso, Olga Caramelo and Carla Diogo .
