3d mammography digital breast tomosynthesis

3D Mammogram

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812-376-5064

Medical Office Building North
2326 18th Street, Suite 110
Columbus IN 47201

Hours
Monday-Wednesday, 7am - 6:30pm
Thursday & Friday 7am - 4pm
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41%

 

increase in invasive cancer detection

2D vs 3D Exams

2d vs 3d mammogram comparison

(Click to enlarge)

In a conventional 2D mammogram, if there appears to be an area of concern, the doctor may want to further investigate with another mammogram or a biopsy. Looking at the same breast tissue in slices from the 3D mammogram exam, the doctor can now determine if the tissue is in fact normal breast tissue creating the illusion of an abnormal area. In situations like these patients likely avoid a callback for an additional mammogram.

40%

 

reduction in false positives

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (tomo)

A 3D mammogram (also known as digital breast tomosynthesis or "tomo") is an exam that allows doctors to see masses and distortions associated with cancers significantly more clearly than conventional 2D mammograms. Instead of viewing all of the complexities of your breast tissue in a flat image, as with conventional mammography, fine details are more visible and no longer hidden by the tissue above or below.

What is a 3D mammogram?

This exam, also known as digital breast tomosynthesis or "tomo," is an advanced technology in the fight against breast cancer that allows doctors to examine your breast tissue one layer at a time. The imaging system uses high-powered computing to convert digital breast images into a stack of very thin layers or “slices” for your radiologist to review. A good analogy for an exam is thinking of the pages in a book. If you look down at the cover you cannot see all of the pages – but when you open it up, you can go through the entire book page-by-page to see everything between the covers. A 3D mammogram exam was designed with the same concept in mind.

What to expect during your exam

A 3D mammogram exam is very similar to a traditional mammogram. Just as with a digital mammogram, the technologist will position you, compress your breast under a paddle and take images from different angles. An exam may be used as a screening tool in conjunction with a traditional digital mammogram or may be used by itself for a diagnostic mammogram.

During the exam, the X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over the breast, taking multiple breast images in just seconds. Your doctor is then able to view your breast tissue in one millimeter layers. Instead of viewing all the complexities of your breast tissue in one flat image, the doctor can examine the tissue one page or “slice” at a time.

There is no additional compression required with the exam, and it only takes a few seconds longer for each view. The technologist will view the images at a computer workstation to ensure adequate images have been captured for review by a radiologist, who studies them and reports results to either your physician or directly to you.

Early detection is the key

Because our primary goal has always been to deliver the highest quality care to our patients, we have added digital breast tomosynthesis to our breast health services. We have chosen to offer the Genius 3D Mammography exam from Hologic because clinical studies show that it is a more accurate mammogram.

Please call The Breast Health Center at 812-669-1607 to schedule your exam.

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