Mammography Screening Using 3D Breast Tomosynthesis Reduces False-Positive Findings

In March 2011, a northeastern hospital in the United States had its first patient undergo three-dimensional (3D) breast tomosynthesis screening. Also known as 3D mammography, this technology has the potential to improve cancer detection and reduce false-positive findings.

Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) February 11, 2011, breast tomosynthesis generates a 3D image of the breast and gives clinicians a clearer look through the overlapping structures of breast tissue. The new imaging technology was pioneered by the Breast Imaging Program at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH; Boston, MA, USA) under the leadership of Elizabeth Rafferty, MD, director of breast imaging at MGH. "Like flipping through the pages of a book, the radiologist is able to look at one page at a time instead of seeing the whole breast reduced to a single frame, as is the case with standard mammography,” said Dr. Rafferty. This more comprehensive view increases the ability to detect and diagnose small tumors.

Moreover, tomosynthesis can help radiologists rule out abnormalities that may have looked suspicious in a 2D mammogram, reducing the need to call women back for additional imaging or biopsies.

The technology, Hologic's (Bedford, MA, USA) Selenia Dimensions system, improves images by digitally combining multiple X-rays to reduce distortion created by tissue overlap or density. As a result, the radiologist is able to target the size, shape, and precise location of a lump or tumor; the image is not flattened like a conventional mammogram. Tomosynthesis also screens the complete breast, not only the region of interest. This is important because 15% of women with a tumor in their breast also have another cancer in the same or other breast.

3D mammography is now available to women who need their yearly screening mammogram and for diagnostic uses. The test is performed at the same time as a conventional mammogram on the same scanner. "After more than 11 years of research behind it, we are excited to now offer this option to our patients, with the certainty that we will be able to more accurately screen for and detect potential breast cancers and other abnormalities,” concluded Dr. Rafferty.

Related Links:
Massachusetts General Hospital
Hologic