Breast Unit

The Breast Unit specializes in the application of minimally invasive techniques to improve breast conserving surgery for cancer including: using modern imaging technology to improve patient selection and pre-operative planning for breast conserving surgery; sentinel node biopsy; intra-operative adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer (TARGIT Trial); minimally invasive adjuvant and ablative techniques including interventional MRI techniques (biopsy and laser ablation of small cancer foci). A central part of this strategy to reduce surgical morbidity and hospital stay by increasing the number of patients undergoing surgery under sedation and under local anaesthetic in preference to general anaesthetic.

UCLH breast surgery service provides the following secondary and tertiary referral services:

Sentinel node biopsy

This is rapidly becoming the standard axillary procedure. It has enabled a reduction in length of stay and operations currently associated with a 3 day ip stay (will progress to day case or overnight procedures). UCL runs the only training programme and attracts national exposure for this.

Laser fibroadenoma ablation

This technique allows ablation of benign lumps under sedation. It is a development for the breast treatment suite planned on the second floor of the new building, especially as there will be facilities for recovery of patients. The procedure is wholly outpatients based, with no more than minimal observation required for recovering patients from sedation. While the benefits for patients are obvious, developing this service to its full potential also offers significant savings as no theatre resource will be needed.

Cervical Screening

Our clinic does special tests when a woman's cervical smear test has shown evidence of abnormal cells.Abnormal cells on the cervix is not unusual: about one in 12 smears reveal cell changes. In many cases these changes return to normal by themselves. But sometimes the changes become worse and could lead to cancer in the future.

The colposcopy examination at our clinic is simple, quick and painless, and allows a doctor to decide whether treatment is needed.

Endometriosis

This is a multidisciplinary specialist service for the investigation and treatment of patients with endometriosis. The team is specialised in both medical and surgical treatment of endometriosis, fertility and pain management. It also provides some forms of complementary therapy for endometriosis and organises psychological support when needed.

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