Breast Imaging

Breast imaging includes imaging modalities used for breast cancer screenings and planning therapy once cancer is detected. Mammography is the primary modality used. Mammogram technology is moving from 2D full-field digital mammography (FFDM) to breast tomosynthesis, or 3D mammography, which helps reduce false positive exams by allowing radiologists to look through the layers of tissue. Overlapping areas of dense breast tissue on 2D mammograms appear similar to cancers and 3D tomo helps determine if suspect areas are cancer or not. About 50% of women have dense breast tissue, which appears white on mammograms, the same as cancers, making diagnosis difficult. Radiologists use the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) scoring system to define the density of breast tissue. Many states now require patients to be notified if they have dense breasts so they understand their mammograms might be suboptimal and they should use supplemental imaging that can see through the dense areas. This includes tomosythesis, breast ultrasound, automated breast ultrasound (ABUS), breast MRI, contrast enhanced mammography and nuclear imaging, including positron emission mammography (PEM).

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FDA votes in support of benefit-risk profile for Lumisight imaging agent

Use of Lumisight in conjunction with the Lumicell fluorescent imaging system was found to be safe and effectively guide breast cancer surgeries.

March 11, 2024
breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Radiation treatment for breast cancer linked to high risk of developing subsequent skin cancer

The danger of developing the disease on or around the breast after radiation is 57% higher than the general population.

March 11, 2024
Seno Medical Imagio breast imaging system.

AMA adds code to allow for reimbursement of opto-acoustic imaging modality

The new imaging modality was pioneered by Seno Medical for diagnosing breast cancer.

February 13, 2024
breast cancer women's health ribbon

ESR partners with GE HealthCare to focus on breast cancer treatment

A mobile screening system for breast cancer will be launched at the ECR 2024 conference.

February 12, 2024
breast cancer mammography screening mammogram scheduling

Arizona bill would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer screenings

Susan G. Komen, a breast cancer advocacy group, is urging lawmakers to pass the legislation.

January 23, 2024
Video of Samir Patel, MD, diagnostic radiologist at Radiology Inc., value management program founder and director and a board member of the Beacon Health System, explaining how AI is being implemented in mammography at RSNA 2023.

Real-world implementation of AI in mammography

Samir Patel, MD, radiologist at Radiology Inc., and a board member of the Beacon Health System, explains how AI is being implemented in clinical practice for breast imaging. 

 

January 19, 2024
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Your fingerprint sweat may reveal if you have breast cancer

Scientists may have turned their criminal forensics research into an accurate alternative to screening mammography. 

January 5, 2024
artificial intelligence healthcare industry digest

ChatGPT 'mostly' accurate when answering questions on breast biopsies, with 1 major exception

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University asked the chatbot about common findings from core-needle biopsies.

January 5, 2024

Around the web

Automated AI-generated measurements combined with annotated CT images can improve treatment planning and help referring physicians and patients better understand their disease, explained Sarah Jane Rinehart, MD, director of cardiac imaging with Charleston Area Medical Center.

Two advanced algorithms—one for CAC scores and another for segmenting cardiac chamber volumes—outperformed radiologists when assessing low-dose chest CT scans. 

"Gen AI can help tackle repetitive tasks and provide insights into massive datasets, saving valuable time," Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, said Tuesday. 

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