New Trends in Breast Imaging

Moon, Woo Kyung

Abstract

Mammography is the best imaging modality for the detection of early breast cancer in asymptomatic women. However, 10~20% of cancers are missed by the current film-screen mammography, particularly in the dense breast and the positive predictive value of film-screen mammography for cancer is less than 50%. For the success of breast cancer screening program in Korea, the quality control of mammographic equipment and the personnel is important and the regulation has imposed by the government. Women at an average risk should begin screening mammography at age 40. Digital mammography and computer-aided detection system is promising new technologies for breast cancer detection. The advances in ultrasonography(US) equipment and the refinement of breast imaging techniques enable radiologists to detect and characterize small lesions better and to provide efficient and economical US guidance for percutaneous procedures. Breast MR imaging is very sensitive in detecting of occult cancer in women with known breast cancer and those at an increased risk of breast cancer. Image-guided core needle or vacuum-assisted biopsy is increasingly used to target and obtain tissue samples for nonpalpable breast lesions.