Breakthroughs in breast imaging are providing clinicians with options to address each woman?s unique situation.
According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. With approximately 226,870 new cases anticipated in 2012 alone, breast cancer isn’t going away any time soon. The good news, however, is that clinicians are empowered with more diagnostic tools and technologies than ever before. Every woman is unique. What works for one woman may not work for another. But options abound. That means new hope for catching breast cancers sooner and saving more lives.
I recently spoke with Kristi Funk, MD, president and breast surgeon at Pink Lotus Breast Center in Beverly Hills, Calif. In March, Pink Lotus became the first facility in the nation to install GE Healthcare’s SenoBright Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) technology. SenoBright is designed to produce contrast-enhanced images of the breast using a legally approved x-ray contrast agent and a dual energy acquisition technique.
The new tool can help detect and diagnose breast cancer quickly and accurately, even in the densest part of the breast. Funk was clearly very excited about the technology. “It’s the most remarkable breakthrough in screening for breast cancer that I’ve ever seen,” said Funk. “My biggest hope is that it replaces routine screening.”
CESM delivers two images per mammographic view. One looks like standard mammography; the second is a contrast-enhanced image in exactly the same position as the standard mammography views, making it easier for clinicians to spot lesions.
CESM is not meant to be a replacement for other imaging procedures, but simply another tool for physicians to help expedite the diagnosis of breast cancer. The technology is particularly useful in handling inconclusive mammograms and is a good tool for use on women with dense breasts. According to Funk, 50% of women under 50 and 30% of women over 50 have dense breasts. Finding cancers in dense breasts can be challenging. While breast MRI can help spot suspicious masses in dense breasts, the downside is a high rate of false positives. Pink Lotus Breast Center has performed 60 CESM exams to date and Funk is pleased with the results. “CESM resolved approximately 20 false positives that we saw on MRIs,” said Funk.
Speed is another benefit of CESM. According to the manufacturer, the exam takes just 5 to 10 minutes. Best of all, CESM can cut down the waiting time for patients, often allowing for same-day diagnostic results. For women faced with the possibility of breast cancer, that translates into less worry and the ability to get on with their lives.
Funk is proud to be pioneering CESM at Pink Lotus. She said the philosophy of breast care at Pink Lotus “combines cutting edge technology with holistic, compassionate care.” According to Funk, SenoBright has filled a void for the facility. “CESM brings our arsenal of tools to diagnose and treat women to full capacity,” she said.
Indeed, it is heady times for women’s imaging. In our cover story, “Women’s Movement,” Michael Bassett talks with clinicians and researchers about the state of the field. There is a genuine sense of excitement about innovations like breast tomosynthesis and automated breast ultrasound. Most of all, there is an appreciation for the diagnostic options available today. Because the power to choose the right tool can make all the difference.
Marianne Matthews
Editor
