Breast Units in Italy:

Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi

Bologna, Italy

323 New breast cancer cases treated per year
18 Breast multidisciplinarity team members

Radiologists, surgeons, pathologists, medical oncologists, radiotherapists and nurses

Clinical Director: Mario Taffurelli, MD

The Breast Unit was established in 2004 due to a more-than-20-year-long multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. The multidisciplinary team, made up of oncologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists and surgeons, meets twice a week for patient's evaluation and the definition of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. On average, 600 cases are evaluated, and 400 are treated for breast carcinoma every year. The Breast Unit provides care of all stages of breast cancer, including conservative and demolitive surgery with reconstruction and oncoplastic surgery, partial and whole breast irradiation, pre-operative and adjuvant systemic therapy, treatment of locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer, psychological and rehabilitative support. The diagnostic phase takes about a week, and the waiting time from diagnosis to treatment is about 2-3 weeks. A case-manager nurse is dedicated to planning the multidisciplinary team meetings and provides the organization of the different steps of pre-operative and post-surgical phases.

CERTIFICATION(S) ACCREDITATION(S)

BCCERT - Breast Centres Certification Expiration date: 14 February 2023

Certification document (eng lang.)