New Diagnostic Techniques for Breast Cancer Detection

Authors and Disclosures

Vineeta Singh,¹ Christobel Saunders,¹ Liz Wylie,² Anita Bourke <sup>3

1</sup>University of Western Australia, School of Surgery, QEII Medical Centre, Perth, Australia
²Royal Perth Hospital, Department of Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology, Perth, Australia
³Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Department of Radiology, Perth, Australia

Sidebar: Executive Summary

Full-field Digital Mammography

• Mammography is still the gold standard for screening breast cancer. Full-field digital mammography shows more sensitivity and specificity than conventional mammography and also results in fewer recall rates. Computer-aided detection increases the sensitivity but reduces the specificity, and is not for independent use.

MRI

• MRI should be used for annual screening of young women at high risk of breast cancer. It is useful for detecting lesions that are not seen on conventional imaging.

PET/Computerized Tomography

• This technique has a role to play in detecting the extent of metastasis, recurrent disease and monitoring response to treatment.

Newer Upcoming Techniques

• Ductoscopy and ductal lavage is useful in investigating pathological nipple discharge, and may supplement other investigations for early detection of breast cancer.
  
  

• Other techniques for detection of breast cancer that hold promise are contrast-enhanced mammography, tomosynthesis, scintimammography, optical spectroscopy and optical imaging, and analysis of breath for volatile organic components. These techniques need more validation by further studies.