Expertise | Convenience | Comprehensive Services
Thompson Comprehensive Breast Center is a department of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.
NEW – Saturday & After Work appointment times available!
It is important that women maintain their recommended breast health screening schedules because early detection is the most effective protection for breast health. To best accommodate the schedules of our busy patients, we are now offering convenient appointments for screening mammograms on select Saturdays or days with extended office hours.
Our team is currently scheduling appointments on the following Saturdays:
- October 8
- November 5
- December 3
Do you need an appointment later than our normal hours? We offer appointments during extended hours on the following late days:
- October 20
Call (865) 331-1450 to schedule your appointment today.
Thompson Comprehensive Breast Center, a department of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, provides complete breast health services, including breast health education, screening, diagnostics, and treatment planning.
The chief radiologist is fellowship-trained in women’s imaging, and the Breast Center team includes a mammography certified technologist and specially trained auxiliary staff.
Our Breast Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy, and is one of a select few breast centers in Tennessee to be awarded a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation.
Mammography and Tomosynthesis
Thompson’s certified technologists perform more than 13,000 mammograms each year using the latest in digital technology, including digital 3D mammography (tomosynthesis), which allows the radiologist to better detect smaller cancers – even with dense breast tissue. Breast examinations include a mammogram, breast health counseling, and a breast health exam by a nurse.
No physician referral is needed for an annual screening mammogram, and the procedure is covered by virtually all insurance companies. Call 865-331-1450 to schedule an appointment.
Breast Ultrasound
Breast ultrasound can provide accurate images of breast nodules to differentiate their cystic and solid structures and is used to assess breast lumps to identify solid and cystic components. Ultrasound is often an adjunct to mammography to more fully evaluate dense glandular and cystic breast tissue. Ultrasound can also be used to identify a specific breast mass for biopsy if indicated.
Core Biopsy
Core biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure that frequently eliminates the need for a surgical biopsy. Our center was the first in our area to offer stereotactic-guided core biopsies in 1993. Today, we offer stereotactic and ultrasound guidance for vacuum-assisted needle biopsy.
A core biopsy requires only a local anesthetic. There is virtually no scarring or patient discomfort. Women can return to their usual activities the next day, and the cost is about half that of a surgical biopsy.
Cyst Aspiration
Aspiration of a breast cyst is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure for women who present with a breast mass. Using ultrasound guidance and local anesthetic, a small needle is used to remove fluid from the cyst, which can be sent for cytology if further evaluation is required. Cyst aspiration may reduce the waiting time for diagnosis in select patients.
Bone Densitometry
Decreases in bone density occur as women age and in response to other medical and biological events. Loss of bone density may indicate osteoporosis and an increase in fracture risk. Thompson Comprehensive Breast Center offers bone densitometry with state-of-the-art technology and certified technologists. We perform hip, spine, forearm, and full-body densitometry as medically indicated. We offer an appointment schedule that allows women to schedule both their mammogram and bone density study on the same visit.