Core Needle Breast Biopsy Safe for Patients Taking Blood Thinners

It is safe to take anticoagulants (blood thinners) before core needle breast biopsies, according to a study performed at the Elizabeth Wende Breast Clinic in Rochester, NY. Core needle biopsies are offered as an alternative to surgical biopsy when a tissue sample of an irregular area in the breast is found by mammogram or sonogram. “They are safer than surgical procedures, require fewer anesthetics, and are accurate,” according to Patricia Somerville, MD, lead author of the study.

The study included 200 women who were taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) and 855 women who were not. Adverse reactions, lumps and bruises, after a woman’s core needle biopsy were recorded. Results showed that lumps or bruising occurred in 34% of women who were taking blood thinners and 26.5% of women who were not taking them.

source: ARRS

Endoscopic ultrasound can offer safer and more effective cancer therapy

Washington, September 13 (ANI): American scientists are studying the efficacy of a therapeutic technique that can allow doctors to directly inject tumours with cancer fighting agents from inside the body.

The technique called curvilinear EUS uses a flexible gastrointestinal endoscope with a miniature ultrasound transducer on the tip to guide a small needle directly into a tumour.

Dr. Robert Hawes, Professor of Medicine and Peter Cotton Chair for Endoscopic Innovation at the Medical University of South Carolina, says that the new technique can prove to be a safer and more effective approach to administering chemotherapy, as it allows doctors to deliver therapy right to the tumour and avoid damaging normal surrounding tissues.

source: Thaindian

Society Of Interventional Radiology Applauds Report's Uterine Fibroid Embolization Recommendations

The Society of Interventional Radiology, a national organization of nearly 4,500 doctors, scientists and allied health professionals dedicated to improving health care through minimally invasive treatment interventions, applauds the recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that uterine fibroid embolization "is a safe and effective option" for women.

"This finding fully opens the door to women's choice. It will prompt gynecologists to discuss all treatment options for symptomatic uterine fibroids - including UFE - if they are not already doing so," said interventional radiologist John Kaufman, M.D., SIR president.

source: Society Interventional Radiology