Molecular Breast Imaging: A Novel Technology for Detection of Malignant Breast Lesions

Recently, a breast-dedicated gamma camera has been used for assessment of breast malignancy in over 1000 women in Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA. Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI), which utilizes a Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT) gamma camera for scintimammography, has been shown to have a high sensitivity (91%) for the detection of breast lesions > 5 mm in diameter and 69% for tumors smaller than 5mm.

In Israel , genetic high- risk for breast cancer is highly relevant. We will offer the new imaging technology, to a wide patients population/group from all over Israel , in which the referring physician and/or the breast-imaging physician will look for additional imaging modality. Therefore this stage will include:

• Women with equivocal findings on Mammography, US and/or MRI
• Women with discrepancy between CBE(clinical breast examination)and breast imaging
• Women with dense breast
• Women in high risk for Breast Cancer

Before the imaging procedure each woman will need to fill detailed questionnaire, specific for the study, that will include information on her medical history, family history, gynecology information, menstrual phase, use of hormones etc.

The images will be correlated with other imaging tests including mammography, US and MRI. We will follow up the women for at least 6 months, including biopsy findings and or other clinical and imaging exams.

This phase will include 500 women.