Mammograms and ultrasound are very helpful in detecting breast cancer or giving women a clean bill of health. But sometimes these tools indicate a need for more testing. When that’s the case, doctors rely on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI).

“Advanced imaging, such as MRI and BSGI, is designed to complement mammograms – not replace them,” explains Barbara Luikens, MD, a radiologist at Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Cancer Center. She recommends MRI or BSGI in the following situations:

• following a biopsy to detect the size of a tumor, whether other tumors are present or if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes
• to monitor the progress of chemotherapy in shrinking a tumor
• to provide more details in high-risk women, such as those who have a breast cancer gene, precancerous cells or a personal or family history of breast cancer
• to provide a clearer image when mammograms indicate very dense breast tissue or multiple suspicious areas
• to diagnose implant ruptures

A closer look at advanced technologies
“At Jane Brattain Breast Center, we’ve been using MRI for about 15 years – since right after it was first developed,” Dr. Luikens says. This type of screening uses a combination of a strong magnet and radio waves. Information is relayed to a computer which generates images of the breast tissue.

“Although gamma imaging has been available for diagnosing other body areas, we are one of the first groups in Minnesota to use BSGI,” she continues. This screening requires a small amount of radioactive tracing agent to be injected into a patient’s arm. The agent is temporarily absorbed in the body, but concentrates in actively growing tissue. A specially designed camera can detect when more of this agent is absorbed in certain “hot spots” of the breast, indicating a tumor.

“BSGI is a great alternative if a patient has a pacemaker or metal foreign body, which prevents them from having an MRI,” Dr. Luikens continues. “It also is the preferred method if a person has severe claustrophobia.”

To learn more about advanced breast imaging technology, call Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center at 952-993-3700 or visit parknicollet.com.