Planmed’s cutting-edge Clarity™ 3D digital breast tomosynthesis system was recently installed at Centro Médico Siglo XXI in San Francisco de Macorís in the Dominican Republic. With the new 3D system in place, the medical center is able to offer diagnostic and treatment services at an even higher standard.
At the busy Centro Médico Siglo XXI in the city of San Francisco de Macorís, breast examinations and mammograms are a part of the everyday. In the Dominican Republic, an estimated 5,200 people are affected by breast cancer every year, and the disease remains one of the most common forms of cancer in the world. Last year, 115 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed at Siglo XXI. That is a new case diagnosed every three days.
One persistent challenge in effective breast cancer treatment around the world has been early detection. Recently, however, the diagnostic capabilities at Siglo XXI received an upgrade when the medical center acquired the Planmed Clarity™ 3D digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) system. The state-of-the-art 3D mammography unit represents the fifth 3D system in the country.
According to Dr. Freddy Álvarez, Director of the Department of Obstetrics at Centro Médico Siglo XXI, the advanced imaging technology of Planmed Clarity 3D is a more than welcome addition to the hospital’s mammography equipment. 3D mammography offers a better view of breast tissue than conventional technologies, which can help radiologists detect lesions at an earlier stage.
"The new system enables breast examinations which are quicker, more comfortable and accurate,” Dr. Álvarez states. “The technology allows us to better see the contour of the lesion. This helps us reduce the number of retakes thanks to a better characterization of the results."
Planmed Clarity 3D’s groundbreaking DBT technology generates a stack of crisp cross-sectional images of the breast with minimal interference from overlapping tissue structures. Combined with Planmed’s patented Continuous Sync-and-Shoot™ sequence and innovative TomoMarker™ acquisition geometry detection, the system enables radiologists to see areas and detect lesions which may be less clear in conventional mammographic imaging.
In addition to the improved diagnostics, Dr. Álvarez also hopes that the new technology will advance early detection by raising awareness for regular breast examinations. "There is a lack of awareness about the importance of annual mammography and that patients have access to high-quality care in the hands of specialized professionals," says Dr. Álvarez. With its modern and high-performance new system from Planmed, the medical center hopes to bring change for the residents of the city.