Transcript 3D-Mammography/Tomography

3D-Tomosynthesis
Richard Melpignano
BME-181
11 February 2013
Breast Cancer
 Most commonly diagnosed cancer and second leading
cause of death in women in the U.S
 220,000 diagnosed cases every year in U.S
 40,000 deaths every year in U.S
 About one in eight women will be diagnosed with
breast cancer at some point in their life
Traditional Mammography
 Has been around for over 100 years
 Uses X-rays to spot tumors in the breasts
 Mammograms can help reduce death from breast
cancer by 15% by spotting tumors early in development
Problems
 Often unclear detection method
 High amounts of over-diagnosis and under-diagnosis
 This leads to multiple unnecessary screenings and
more exposure to X-ray radiation
 Limited 2-dimensional image leaves about 10% of
cancers undetected
 Denser breast tissue is difficult to read in some patients
New Detection Method
 Mass General Breast Imaging teams
began creating and designing a new
breast cancer detection method over 10
years ago
 Their method, Tomosynthesis, was
approved by the FDA in February 2011
and has started to spread throughout
the U.S
 In Washington, D.C alone, over 35,000
procedures have been performed since
August 2011
Tomosynthesis
 Utilizes low-level X-rays to produce multiple
images of the breast, layer by layer, using a
swinging camera
 This layering of images makes it simpler to
detect normal breast structures (milk ducts,
lobules, fatty tissues, etc.) from cancerous
ones
 X-rays are converted into limited 3dimensional digital images for radiologists
to examine
 Computer Aided Detection (CAD) assists in
spotting regions where cancer seems to be
present
 Dense tissue is more easily examined
through Tomography than traditional
Mammography
Mammography vs
Tomosynthesis
No lesion detected
Lesion detected
Tomosynthesis (cont.)
 Increases detection of Invasive breast cancers by 40%
in comparison to 2D mammography
 Total cancer detection increased from 6.1 patients per
thousand to 8.0 patients per thousand (a 27%
increase)
 False-positive readings reduced by 15%
 Uncertain readings and patient call-backs reduced by
20-30%
Tomosynthesis Problems
 Tests take twice as long as mammography tests,
resulting in slightly more radiation exposure.
 Some calcification fields, which are precancerous
indications, are more easily interpreted on 2-D
mammograms
 More expensive equipment and larger storage archives
will be required
In The Near Future…
 3D Tomography will be added on to already existing 2D
Mammography procedures in U.S hospitals
 Tomography will be widely available within the next few
years throughout the United States
 As of now, the procedure costs $50 and is not currently
covered by health insurance.
Resources

3D Mammography: A Revolutionary Tool." 3D Mammography Revolutionary Tool for More Accurate
Mammograms from Hologic. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2013. <http://www.hologic3d.com/content/3dmammography-revolutionary-tool>.

Barclay, Laurie, MD. "3D Mammography May Improve Invasive Breast Cancer Detection." Medscape
Medical News (15 Jan. 2013): n. pag. Medscape News Today. 13 Jan. 2013. Web. 6 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/777709>.

"Breast Cancer Facts." National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-facts>.

"Breast Tomosynthesis a New 3D Mammogram - Washington Radiology Associates." Breast
Tomosynthesis a New 3D Mammogram. N.p., 2012. Web. 06 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.washingtonradiology.com/bca/index.asp>.

Lowe, Becky. "5 Benefits of Tomosynthesis." Block Imaging International, Inc. N.p., 18 Apr. 2011. Web.
06 Feb. 2013. <http://info.blockimaging.com/bid/47713/5-Benefits-of-Tomosynthesis-New-3D-DigitalMammography-Technology>.

"Mammogram (screening or Diagnostic)." Massachusetts General Hospital Imaging. N.p., n.d. Web.
06 Feb. 2013. <http://www.massgeneral.org/imaging/services/procedure.aspx?id=2252>.