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).

First in-human trial testing 4D mammography is officially underway
Experts have suggested the emerging technology could be a “pivotal” tool for the future of breast cancer detection.
New Lantern's AI-enabled additions aimed at streamlining mammo and PET workflows
The San Francisco-based company says the updates will accelerate radiology workflows by removing administrative burdens and freeing up radiologists to spend more time reviewing imaging exams instead.
Commercially available AI spots up to 1/3 of interval cancers missed by radiologists
Considering the often-aggressive nature of interval breast cancer, the findings could represent a significant step toward improving patient outcomes, authors of a new research paper suggest.
Explainable AI boosts breast cancer detection on MRI
Experts involved in the model's development are hopeful their take on explainable AI can reduce problematic false positive rates common in breast MRI.
Specialized imaging technique offers pain-free, effective alternative to mammograms
The photoacoustic CT, or PACT, imaging technique is said to perform comparably to mammography for cancer detection, but without the discomfort of standard mammograms.

ASTRO 2019: Patients satisfied with partial breast radiation therapy after lumpectomy

Patients who undergo partial breast radiation therapy after a lumpectomy are as satisfied with the outcome as those who undergo whole breast radiation therapy, according to findings presented at the 2019 annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

Radiologists ready to speak with patients about breast density, supplemental screening

Many radiologists believe patient-provider discussions about screening mammography and supplemental screening are inadequate, according to findings published in the Journal of Breast Imaging. The specialty appears ready to step up and take a more visible role in patient education.

Women Radiologists Find Their Voice and Make It Heard

The lopsided male-to-female ratio among radiologists and radiology residents—around three men for every one woman—has remained stubbornly constant despite years-long efforts to narrow the gap. This reality is reinforced each time the American College of Radiology conducts its annual workforce survey.

Breast MRI in cancer survivors results in more unneeded biopsies

Adding MRI to mammography screening for breast cancer detects more cancers, but results in more unnecessary biopsies, according to a June 4 study published in Radiology.

Short-interval follow-up MRI helps ID early stage breast cancer

The researchers analyzed the frequency and cancer yield of ACR Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 3 lesions in patients who received baseline and non-baseline screening MRIs.

Researchers detail MRI’s role in identifying early-stage breast cancer

Short-interval follow-up MRI is an effective tool for identifying early-stage breast cancer, according to findings to be presented at the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) 2019 Annual Meeting in Honolulu.

ACP shares new breast cancer screening guidelines, imaging societies push back

The American College of Physicians (ACP) now recommends that average-risk women with no symptoms undergo breast cancer screening with mammography every other year, beginning at the age of 50. The ACP explained its decision through a new guidance statement published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Should women with dense breasts pursue additional screening? Here’s what radiologists think

When women learn that they have dense breast tissue after a mammogram, should they seek out supplemental screening? A new study published in the Journal of Breast Imaging asked radiologists what they currently recommend for patients at all risk levels.

Breast Imaging

First in-human trial testing 4D mammography is officially underway

New Lantern's AI-enabled additions aimed at streamlining mammo and PET workflows

Commercially available AI spots up to 1/3 of interval cancers missed by radiologists

Explainable AI boosts breast cancer detection on MRI

Specialized imaging technique offers pain-free, effective alternative to mammograms