Nov 20 2009
Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging/Molecular Breast Imaging (BSGI/MBI) has been recognized and endorsed by two highly esteemed organizations for the fight against breast cancer: The Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) and the American College of Surgeons. Both societies published articles supporting the further application of this breakthrough imaging technology for the early detection of breast cancer.
"These endorsements reinforce what I have found to be true in my own center: BSGI performs better than MRI in many patient cases," Christine B. Teal, M.D., F.A.C.S. Director, Breast Care Center, The George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates. "BSGI is more sensitive and specific, and it costs less than MRI. We are a big supporter of BSGI in our breast center and use it routinely for the surgical planning for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, as well as for screening of high risk patients."
In the Fall 2009 issue of the SBI News, the article, "Nuclear Medicine Breast Imaging: An Exciting Frontier," discusses the advancements in nuclear medicine imaging of the breast. According to the article, "nuclear medicine is an exciting field of development for breast imaging and will almost certainly lead to improved detection of breast cancer in the future."
The article goes on to present the numerous benefits of BSGI, including: high sensitivity; specificity slightly better than MRI; more specific than mammography in screening patients with dense breasts; relatively straightforward to implement; well received by patients; quick to interpret; helpful alternative for patients who are unable to undergo MRI due to metallic implants, renal failure, claustrophobia or for whom MRI is not available; and the cost of molecular breast imaging is usually less than MRI.
The Consensus Conference III panel, formed by the American College of Surgeons, concluded in a special report that BSGI may have equal sensitivity and improved specificity when compared with breast MRI. The panel also concluded that BSGI and positron emission mammography (PEM) may be used as alternatives to breast MRI when MRI is not available or is contraindicated in certain patients. The panel also agreed that in some situations, BSGI may be useful as an additional problem-solving tool.
The report was published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons in June 2009. The panel of physicians met to reassess debated issues, available evidence and implications of ongoing investigations, as well as to develop recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of image-detected breast cancers. The panel was comprised of physician specialists in the areas of diagnosing and treating breast disease.
Dilon Diagnostics, makers of the Dilon 6800 Gamma Camera optimized for BSGI, welcomes the growing acceptance and adoption of the technology for breast cancer imaging as a standard of care.
"The recognition of BSGI by two major medical societies is a great step toward achieving our goal of BSGI being considered a critical part of the standard of care," said Doug Kieper, vice president of Science and Technology, Dilon Diagnostics.
Source: http://www.dilon.com/