There is one simple reason why 3-D mammography has joined the list of breast-cancer detection services available at Rye Radiology Associates.
“It finds more breast cancer than traditional mammograms,” said Dr. Diane LoRusso, a co-founder of the Rye Brook practice.
The cutting-edge technology formally called breast tomosynthesis has been offered since late July through the office”™s Diagnostic Radiology and Breast Imaging Center.
Now, as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the focus is on spreading the word about being the first (and only) to offer this diagnostic tool in Westchester.
A complement to the standard mammogram, the 3-D mammogram is performed simultaneously on the same machine with the same compression.
Rye Radiology uses the Selenia Dimensions breast tomosynthesis system from Hologic Inc., which has its corporate headquarters in Bedford, Mass.
For the tomosynthesis portion of the exam, an X-ray arm sweeps over the breast in a slight arc, taking multiple images in a very short span. These are then converted into a 3-D image that a radiologist is able to “page” through.
One can see the thin layers of breast tissue. A conventional mammogram compresses the breast into a single image that by nature has an overlap of tissue. The more detailed image allows for a clearer pinpointing of size, shape and location of any abnormalities and can make it easier to distinguish harmless abnormalities from real tumors.
“There are less ”˜false positives,”™” said Dr. Gail Calamari, who has been with Rye Radiology since 1993. That means less need for callbacks and less anxiety for women.
“This improvement from traditional mammograms to 3-D mammograms is the biggest improvement that I”™ve seen,” said LoRusso, who has been in the field for nearly 40 years.
Following 10 years of research, the FDA approved 3-D mammography in February 2011, and it came to Rye Brook after much study, demonstrations and training of both doctors and staff.
Patients, the doctors said, will find many benefits from the 3-D mammogram. It takes virtually the same amount of time to do the test ”“ it adds less than 15 seconds to a conventional mammogram ”“ and requires only about five to 10 minutes more to read.
Though it does involve a minimal amount of additional radiation, LoRusso assured that the dose for the combined exam is under the FDA-regulated limits and is a negligible risk to the patient.
“The only downside for patients is it”™s not covered by insurance,” she said, adding that it costs $100.
The breast tomosynthesis is being used in conjunction with a traditional digital mammogram or can be used alone as a diagnostic mammogram.
Clinical trials, LoRusso said, show that while tomosynthesis benefits all women, it is particularly helpful to those with dense breast tissue.
Since the introduction of the machine, Rye Radiology ”“ a physician-owned practice and the first in Westchester to receive the American College of Radiology Breast Center of Excellence Award ”“ has completed 500 3-D mammograms so far.
The next step is getting the word out to a wider audience, especially referring doctors. An open house for those doctors is set for next month.
LoRusso said since early detection is key in the fight against cancer, bringing breast tomosynthesis to Rye Radiology”™s patients is a valuable tool.
“Nothing we do in medicine is 100 percent, but to be able to improve it significantly is a major breakthrough.”
