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    INESC TEC project helps patients make decisions on breast surgery

    INESC TEC’s Telecommunications and Multimedia Unit (UTM) is participating in a European health project where the aim is to provide clear data, in breast cancer cases, which will help both patients and doctors make informed decisions on the most suitable type of surgery according to each case (including conserving surgery or mastectomy).

    21st September 2012

    Entitled "PICASSO - Patient Information for the Combined Assessment of Specific Surgical Outcomes in breast cancer", the project combines the analysis of 3D pictures with routine medical examinations which, together, will make it possible to develop techniques for biomechanically modeling the anatomy of the breast, and to understand the effect that the surgery to remove cancerous tissue can have on the patient.

    These tools make it possible to explore new alternative strategies and to evaluate the consequences of the options available, always respecting the appearance of the breast.

    The PICASSO also facilitates the communication between the surgeon and the patient, allowing the patient to take an active part in the final decision. These tools will also make it possible to objectively assess the aesthetic appearance of the patient after treatment.

    This is a three-year project developed in partnership with Philips, the University College London (UK), the Academisch Ziekenhuis Leiden - Leids Universitais Medisch Centrum (the Netherlands) and the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherce Medicale (France). UTM's researchers participating in this project are Jaime Cardoso, Hélder Oliveira and Maria João Cardoso.

    Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer, affecting one in nine women in Europe. Although in most cases it can be treated, many women have to live for the rest of their lives with the consequences of an unsuccessful cosmetic surgical procedure. PICASSO aims at helping women make informed decisions on the type of surgery, something which is quite subjective and based solely on the judgment and experience of the doctor.

    BIP, September 2012