3D/TOMOSYNTHESIS DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY

Superior to 2D digital mammograms

Find cancer earlier than 2D mammograms alone and offer a 27% increase in cancer detection and a 40% increase in invasive cancer detection

Extraordinary technology allowing radiologists to look through breast tissue one millimeter at a time, seeing details inside the breast in a way never before possible

Provide less chance for cancer to hide behind overlapping tissue

Consist of multiple breast images taken in just seconds to produce a 3D image

what is digital mammography?

Digital mammography uses low-dose X-rays to generate images of the compressed breast. It is the most widely used and most trusted tool in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Radiology Associates performs 3D digital mammograms at each of our centers and utilizes computer-aided detection (CAD) for all screening mammograms. The state-of-the-art 3D mammography is a revolutionary new screening and diagnostic tool designed for early breast cancer detection. During the 3D mammogram, the x-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over your breast, taking multiple breast images. A computer then produces a 3D image of your breast tissue in one-millimeter slices, providing greater visibility for the radiologist to see breast detail. The radiologist can then scroll through images of the entire breast like pages of a book.

These images make it possible for a radiologist to gain a better understanding of your breast tissue and the confidence to reduce the need for follow-up imaging. By looking at the tissue in one-millimeter slices, the radiologist can provide a more confident assessment because now they can see breast tissue more clearly. With 3D mammography radiologists are able to find cancers earlier, with a 27% increase in cancer detection and a 40% increase in invasive cancer detection. Furthermore, 3D mammography significantly reduces callbacks by 20-40%.

If needed, non-surgical breast biopsy services, including ultrasound-guided and stereotactic biopsies, are available at our center.

Answers to questions you might have:

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE EXAM?

When preparing for your mammogram, do not use antiperspirant or deodorant on the day of the exam until the exam is complete. Please inform the technologist or staff if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

WHY 3D TOMOSYNTHESIS?

Doctors and scientists agree that early detection is the best defense against breast cancer, and successful treatment and survival rates are dramatically affected by it. If cancer is found early enough, before it has time to spread to lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is almost 100 percent. Until now, the best way to identify breast cancer has been with digital mammography.

While digital mammography is still one of the best technologies available today, this is only a 2- dimensional picture of the breast. The breast is a 3-dimensional object composed of blood vessels, milk ducts and ligaments located at different heights and can overlap. When viewed as a 2-dimensional, flat image, these overlapping tissues can cause confusion and result in the leading reason as to why small breast cancers may be missed and normal tissue may appear abnormal, leading to unnecessary callbacks.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SCREENING AND DIAGNOSTIC MAMMOGRAM?

A screening mammogram is your annual exam that is done every year. Sometimes the radiologist may ask you to come back for follow-up images, which is called a diagnostic mammogram, to rule out an unclear area in the breast or if there is a breast complaint that needs to be evaluated. 3D mammography may be used for both a screening mammogram and diagnostic mammogram, if you happened to be called back for this type of exam.

In a "conventional" 2D mammogram, there appears to be an area of concern that the doctor may want to further investigate with another mammogram or biopsy. Looking at the same breast tissue in 3D mammography imaging slices, the doctor can now see that the tissue is in fact normal breast tissue that was overlapping in the traditional mammogram, creating the illusion of an abnormal area. In this scenario, this patient likely avoided a callback for an additional mammogram, thanks to the 3D mammography exam technology.

Think of 3D mammogram technology like the pages of a book. If you look down at the cover, you cannot see all of the pages - but when you open it up, you can go through the entire book page by page to see everything between the covers.

IS THERE MORE RADIATION IN A 3D MAMMOGRAM?

Very low energy is used during the 3D mammography exam, just about the same amount as a traditional mammogram done on film.

WHAT IS 3D/TOMOSYNTHESIS?

3D mammography is a revolutionary new screening and diagnostic tool designed for early breast cancer detection that can be done in conjunction with a traditional 2D digital mammogram. During the 3D part of the exam, the x-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over your breast, taking multiple breast images. Then, a computer produces a 3D image of your breast tissue in one-millimeter slices, providing greater visibility for the radiologist to see breast detail. They can scroll through images of the entire breast like pages of a book. These images make it possible for a radiologist to gain a better understanding of your breast tissue and the confidence to reduce the need for follow-up imaging.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING THE 3D MAMMOGRAPHY EXAM?

3D mammography is performed at the same time with the same system. There is no additional compression required and it only takes a few more seconds for each view.

WHO CAN HAVE A 3D MAMMOGRAM?

It is approved for all women who would be undergoing a standard mammogram in both the screening and diagnostic settings, but especially younger women and women with dense breasts.

What are the benefits?

By looking at the tissue in one-millimeter slices, the radiologist can provide a more confident assessment because now they can see breast tissue more clearly. With 3D mammography radiologists are able to find cancers earlier, with a 27% increase in cancer detection and a 40% increase in invasive cancer detection. Furthermore, 3D mammography significantly reduces callbacks by 20-40%.

WHAT DOES A 3D MAMMOGRAM COST?

We will file with your insurance. If they do not cover 3D, you are not responsible for that portion of the charge.

Reports are also available on the MyRAD Patient Portal