Digital breast tomosynthesis tops 2D digital mammography for determining tumor boundaries and spotting masses, according to studies released at the 2009 European Congress of Radiology. Breast tomosynthesis could boost the preoperative staging of tumors obscured by dense breasts, a value at a time when more women with breast cancer are choosing breast conservation therapy.
Researchers at Lund University in Malmö, Sweden, found in a set of 76 breast cancers that tomosynthesis and ultrasound could outline tumor volumes 84% and 83% of the time, respectively, while digital mammography did so just 51% of the time. Breast tomosynthesis had the fewest number of tumors that could not be measured (five) and tended to spot lesions not visible on ultrasound. Researchers also found that tomosynthesis was best at showing tumor margins for all breast density categories.
Another study sponsored by tomosynthesis manufacturer Hologic gathered a 310- patient data set with 51 cancers evaluated by 27 radiologists. It concluded that tomosynthesis can be combined with standard 2D breast imaging to provide a more complete scan. Tomosynthesis is better at spotting masses, while standard 2D imaging is quicker at spotting calcifications.
