15 July 2012

What is Breast Tomosynthesis?

A suspicious area behind the nipple is resolved using tomosynthesis imaging (rightmost three images). Unlike the mass-like appearance on conventional mammography (left image), with tomosynthesis the normal structures creating the suspicious area on the conventional mammogram are identified. Those structures are normal vessels and ligaments in different regions of the breast (28, 43 and 55 mm above the breast platform).

Breast Tomosynthesis is a revolutionary technology that gives radiologists the ability to identify and characterise individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue. During a Tomosynthesis scan, multiple, low-dose images of the breast are acquired at different angles. These images are then used to produce a series of one millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a three dimensional reconstruction of the breast.

Instead of viewing all tissue complexities on a traditional 2D mammogram, the breast radiologist can now scroll through the layers of the breast in one-millimeter thick slices. This allows the breast radiologist to see around features in the tissue and identify areas of concern that may have been hidden by overlapping tissue, or dismiss normal areas that may have appeared suspicious on a digital mammogram. As a result, recalls may be reduced, unnecessary biopsies may be eliminated, and breast cancers may be identified earlier.

Image quality is key to early detection of Breast Cancer.

Contact our local CANSA Care Centre regarding Reach for Recovery in your area. If there is no Reach for Recovery group in your area, the Care Centre will be able to provide you with counselling, support and prostheses.

For more information see: www.cansa.org.za