Massachusetts General Hospital | Imaging

	3D Mammography: A new dimension in breast cancer detection REQUEST A 3D MAMMOGRAPHY APPOINTMENT: Map and directions Map and directions Or call 617-726-3093 for more information Or call 781-487-6030 for more information   Map and directions   Or call 508-849-5003 for more information

Now available at Mass General Imaging in Boston, Waltham, and Worcester, tomosynthesis (3D mammography) is a new type of mammogram that produces a 3D image of the breast and gives doctors a clearer view through the overlapping structures of breast tissue.

BENEFITS:

• Improves radiologists' ability to screen for and detect potential breast cancers.
• Helps radiologists pinpoint size, shape, and location of abnormalities.
• Can help distinguish harmless abnormalities from real tumors, leading to fewer callbacks and less anxiety for women.

INNOVATION

• Pioneered at Mass General.
• Received FDA approval Feb. 11, 2011, following 10 years of research led by Mass General Breast Imaging team.
• Mass General Imaging performed first clinical tomosynthesis exam in United States March 7, 2011.

AVAILABILITY:

• Tomosynthesis is complementary to standard mammography, which remains the "gold standard."
• Experts expect tomosynthesis to eventually become the new gold standard.
• Tomosynthesis is performed along with a standard mammogram—at the same time on the same scanner.
• Tomosynthesis is available at Mass General in Boston, Mass General West Imaging - Waltham and at Mass General Imaging - Worcester

More information

Benefits

3D Mammogram Gains Momentum - Podcast

Conventional 2D mammography images the entire breast in one exposure, resulting in a 2D picture in which features can be hidden by overlapping tissue. Tomosynthesis takes images from multiple angles and uses computer processing to build these “slices” into a 3D image that a radiologist can manipulate. This results in the following advantages:

• Easier detection: By minimizing the impact of overlapping breast tissue, tomosynthesis can make a tumor easier to see.
• Fewer callbacks: Tomosynthesis can help radiologists reduce false alarms. For example, a 3D view can prove that a spot that looked questionable in 2D is really no cause for concern. This leads to fewer callbacks, fewer additional scans and biopsies, and less anxiety for women.

• IN THE NEWS CBS Evening News WBZ-TV Boston WHDH Boston CBS Early Show

  Earlier detection: Overlapping tissue can hide a small cancer in a 2D image. But with tomosynthesis, the images can be taken apart and examined individually, which means that tomosynthesis may detect cancers earlier than standard mammography.
• Better visualization: 3D images help radiologists better see the size, shape, and location of an abnormality. In a mammogram, the flattened images can hide such information.
• More comprehensive: When cancer is detected in one breast, 15 percent of women have another tumor in the same breast or in the other breast. Tomosynthesis screens the whole breast, and not just the problem area as is done with a diagnostic mammogram.

Availability

Tomosynthesis builds upon the success of existing mammography. Over time, experts expect that tomosynthesis will become the new gold standard in breast cancer screening and detection. For now, tomosynthesis will be used as a complement to existing mammography. This means that all tomosynthesis scans will be performed along with a conventional 2D mammogram—at the same time on the same scanner.

Tomosynthesis is currently available at Mass General in Boston, Mass General West Imaging - Waltham and at Mass General Imaging - Worcester. Hours and availability details differ according to location. Please use the "Request 3D Mammogram" buttons above to see these details and schedule an appointment at these locations, or contact the location directly.

Radiation

The radiation dose for the combined exam we are performing (standard mammogram plus tomosynthesis at the same time) is under the FDA regulated limit for mammography. Adding tomosynthesis does involve a minimal amount of additional radiation, compared with a standard mammogram. But no risk from an amount of radiation this small has ever been proven. The FDA thoroughly considered the radiation issue before approving tomosynthesis for use in screening and diagnostic exams and ruled that the benefit of the additional information available to the radiologist outweighs any potential risk.

All Mass General facilities for mammography are licensed and accredited by the American College of Radiology, the FDA and the Radiation Control Program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health.