Latest Breast Imaging Techniques Offer New Views

Neither will replace mammography for screening yet, experts say

By Serena Gordon
HealthDay Reporter

Related Encyclopedia • Adenocarcinoma of the Lung and Brain Metastases • Amenorrhea • Amniocentesis • Amniocentesis and CVS More... Related Healthscout Videos A Welcome Message from Survivor PJ Hamel Smother Says "Cut!" Maryann and Paula When's the Next Free Mammogram Day? October 17, 2008!!! More... Related Animations • Breast Reduction • Breast Self-Exam Video • Colon Cancer • Erectile Dysfunction More... Related Drug Information • Actonel • Detrol LA • Diflucan • Ditropan XL More... Related News Articles • Family History of Aneurysm Raises Stroke Risk for Smokers • Heart Drug May Be a Cancer Fighter • More 'Screen Time' Linked to Poor Fitness in Girls • Teen Birth Rate Up in 26 States in 2006 More...

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Two newer breast imaging techniques will help doctors diagnose and stage breast cancer, but neither technique will replace standard mammography for the detection of breast cancer.

Both tests -- breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) and positron emission mammography (PEM) -- rely on the use of radiotracers to detect cancer cells. The tracer used in BSGI is positively charged, while cancer cells are negatively charged, so the tracer diffuses around the cancer cells and highlights them in the process. The radiotracer used in PEM contains glucose, which is used by cells for energy. Since cancer cells use more energy, they take up more of the tracer and are highlighted on the image.

Text Continues Below

---

"I think it's exciting that we're moving more to functional imaging," said Dr. Patrick Borgen, director of the Brooklyn Breast Cancer Program at the Maimonides Cancer Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

But, he added, "mammography is the mainstay of breast cancer screening, and neither of these tests is in a position to replace mammography as the cornerstone of cancer detection. These tests are adjuncts." Borgen was not involved in either study.

Results from both studies were expected to be presented Wednesday at the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting, in Chicago. Authors from both studies sit on the boards of the companies that make the new imaging machines.

In one study, 208 women with breast cancer underwent PEM to assess whether or not this imaging technique was affected by the density of breasts or a woman's hormonal status.

The PEM scanner looks similar to a mammogram scanner. It does immobilize the breast, but doesn't compress it, according to study author Dr. Kathy Schilling, director of breast imaging and intervention at the Center for Breast Care at the Boca Raton Community Hospital in Florida.

Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>