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).

breast cancer mammography screening mammogram scheduling

USPSTF stops short of recommending supplemental imaging for women with dense breast tissue

Experts, medical organizations and advocates alike are coming forward saying that the new guidelines “do not go far enough,” particularly when it comes to addressing the screening needs of certain patients. 

radiation oncology therapy treatment

Edema scores can help predict the aggressiveness of breast cancer

Applying an edema classification system to preoperative MRI exams provides insight into whether patients' breast cancer will spread.

partners.jpg

Bayer, Hologic unite to improve availability of contrast-enhanced mammography

The two companies have partnered on a new FDA-cleared CT injection system for the early detection of breast cancer.

Siemens Healthineers Mammomat B.brilliant

FDA clears redesigned mammography platform from Siemens Healthineers

The new platform is the first redesign from Siemens Healthineers in over a decade.

Breast cancer pink ribbon women's health

SIR 2024: Cryoablation an effective treatment for breast cancer

The study, presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting, marks one of the first to use freezing on large tumors in the breast.

artificial intelligence robot evaluates healthcare data

New AI model predicts cancer risk based on breast asymmetry

The program is a simplified modification of the popular Mirai deep-learning algorithm, developed by researchers at MIT to predict future cancer.

medicare advantage rural healthcare hospitals

ACR chief research officer tapped for clinical trial recruitment initiative

Etta Pisano, MD, will identify rural hospitals and help them to onboard patients into new clinical studies.

Thumbnail

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.

Around the web

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

The newly cleared offering, AutoChamber, was designed with opportunistic screening in mind. It can evaluate many different kinds of CT images, including those originally gathered to screen patients for lung cancer. 

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup