Breast Imaging Program at Atlantic Medical Imaging

This year, a diagnosis of breast cancer will be given to about 200,000 women in the United States. While breast cancer is still one of the leading causes of death in women, there is good news. The survival rate for women who have been diagnosed early and treated, continues to improve. The science of breast imaging may require a number of technologies to complete a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. While mammography is the only breast imaging tool proven to save lives, ultrasound and MRI can play a very important role in providing additional information or confirmation of findings on your mammogram. It is not uncommon for our radiologist to recommend additional imaging for further assessment.

The hallmark of a good breast health program is a strong mammography department with a reputation for excellence. The radiologists at Atlantic Medical Imaging are all board-certified and committed to early and accurate detection. Our technology is state-of-the-art and we are committed to providing our staff with the tools they need to provide excellent patient care.

Atlantic Medical Imaging offers a full range of breast imaging services including digital mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and breast biopsy. Our technology is state-of-the-art, and we are committed to providing our staff with the tools they need to provide excellent patient care.

Digital Mammography

Digital Mammography (an x-ray of the breasts) is the single most effective way to detect cancer in its earliest stages. Early detection improves survival and increases treatment options. The risk of breast cancer increases as women age. The American Cancer Society recommends routine screening mammography should begin at age 40. Some physicians advocate screening beginning at a younger age for women with certain risk factors. Screening should continue throughout a woman’s lifetime. Once is not enough.

At Atlantic Medical Imaging, we utilize a Digital Mammography system. Digital Mammography assists in the early detection of breast cancer by incorporating modern electronics and computers into x-ray mammography methods. Instead of acquiring an image on film, the image is collected electronically and can be stored directly into a computer.

There are two types of mammogram studies. If you have no symptoms and your visit to Atlantic Medical Imaging is part of your healthy living plan, you will most likely have a screening procedure. Women who come to Atlantic Medical Imaging with a breast lump or concern will have a diagnostic mammogram. A diagnostic mammogram is a problem solving procedure, which may include specialized mammographic views and frequently ultrasound of the breast. Diagnostic mammograms will be reviewed by the Radiologist at the time of your exam.

Digital Mammography promises to be a significant improvement over film mammography in the early detection of breast cancer especially in women with dense breast tissue and younger women. Sometimes it is necessary to get additional mammographic images or an ultrasound so that certain areas can be better evaluated. Do not be alarmed if you get called back for additional views. Most often the work-up will demonstrate that the findings are benign (not cancer).

Women should avoid the use of powders and deodorants on the day of the exam. These products can cause a false positive reading on your mammogram. Sometimes it is necessary to get additional mammographic images or an ultrasound so that certain areas can be better evaluated. Do not be alarmed if you get called back for additional views. Most often the work-up will demonstrate that the findings are benign (not cancer). Please click here for additional mammography information.

Breast Ultrasound

Breast Ultrasound is an important component of overall breast care. The procedure uses sound waves to image the breast. Sound does not travel through air optimally; therefore, a gel is placed on your breast during the procedure. Ultrasound can tell if a mass seen on mammography is cystic or solid. Cysts are almost always benign (not cancer). Ultrasound is not a reliable screening tool for breast cancer. It lacks spatial resolution (fine detail), it cannot detect the calcium deposits in most breast tumors, and it cannot document how much breast tissue has been imaged.

Breast MRI

Breast MRI has proven to be another important problem solving tool in breast imaging. Breast MRI may be used to investigate breast concerns that are first detected on a mammogram, screen women at high risk for cancer, and evaluate the extent of disease in a woman with newly diagnosed breast cancer to help in determining the appropriate treatment. MRI is also an excellent option for evaluating breast implants when there are concerns about implant leakage.

Breast MRI preparation and scan time is specific to the type of study recommended by our radiologist. During the exam, you will lie on your stomach, and the breasts will be supported in a specialized imaging device. Images will be obtained both before and after an injection of contrast material into your vein. We will discuss your visit with you prior to your arrival to make sure that you understand the procedure.

In March 2007, the American Cancer Society published guidelines for breast MRI screening of women at high risk for breast cancer. The new guideline recommends breast MRI screening in addition to mammograms for women who meet at least one of the following criteria:

• The patient has a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Certain inherited DNA changes can cause an increased risk for developing cancer and are responsible for the cancers that run in some families.
• They have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, even if they have yet to be tested themselves.
• Their lifetime risk of breast cancer has been scored at 20%-25% or greater, based on one of several accepted risk assessment tools (e.g. Gail Model) that look at family history and other factors. (Visit the National Cancer Institute to access a breast cancer risk assessment tool).
• They had radiation treatment to the chest between the ages of 10 and 30.

Breast Biopsy

Sometimes the radiologist discovers findings which are suspicious enough to warrant biopsy. If a biopsy has been recommended, do not panic. Radiologists recommend biopsy on any lesion that has a greater than 3 percent chance of being cancer; therefore, most lesions that are biopsied are not cancer. Most biopsies can be performed without a trip to the operating room.

At Atlantic Medical Imaging’s Somers Point office, our radiologists perform minimally invasive breast biopsies using either ultrasound or mammographic (stereo-core) guidance. You are given local anesthesia to numb the area. The biopsy is performed through a small skin incision, and you will leave in approximately one and a half hours with only a band-aid. You can resume normal activity the following day. Tylenol and ice packs can be used for any discomfort. The tissue needs to be looked at under a microscope by a pathologist. The results will be told to your doctor, and you will come back into our office to discuss the results. It can take up to three business days for the results to be known.