Latest Technology: Digital Mammography

Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine Offers Film and Digital Options

Contact: Susan Hall, 214-820-1817 or Torrey L. McGraw, 817-329-2857
Email: susanh@baylorhealth.edu or torreymc@baylorhealth.edu

(GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, Sept. 8, 2006) - A picture is worth a 1,000 words according to a Chinese proverb. Doubtless, the creator of this proverb had no idea that one day pictures would be used to diagnose hidden diseases such as breast cancer. Even more startling to the proverb author would be the development of digital pictures. As the latest enhancement in breast imaging, digital mammography is to traditional mammography what digital cameras are to their film counterparts.

A mammogram - whether digital or X-ray film - produces an image of the breast used to detect and evaluate breast abnormalities, both in women who have no breast complaints or symptoms and in women who have breast symptoms. Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine offers film mammography at its College Street campus and digital mammography at the new Baylor Medical Plaza at Keller.

"Women with dense breasts, who are pre- or perimenopausal (women who had a last menstrual period within 12 months of their mammograms), or who are younger than age 50 may benefit from having a digital rather than a film mammogram," says Scott Woomer, M.D., chief radiologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine. "Digital mammography has been shown to detect up to 28% more breast cancers among women who fit the above criteria."

This information was first reported in a special online The England Journal of Medicine, Sept. 16, 2005 issue. This renowned medical journal reported preliminary results from a large, clinical trial of digital vs. film mammography that showed no difference in detecting breast cancer for the general population of women in the trial. Women should discuss with their physician which type of mammogram is best for them.

Unlike standard mammography where X-ray images pass through the breast onto film, X-rays from digital mammography are fed directly into a detector. Images are viewed on a television monitor instead of film. Using this technology, radiologists can manipulate the images, zooming in or magnifying certain areas, or adjust the contrast to isolate any suspicious areas.

Whether a woman has a digital mammography or film mammography, the mammogram helps reveal changes in her breast such as calcifications, a mass or a cyst in the breast tissue. A mammogram is the first step in investigating these changes.

Calcifications or micro-calcifications appear as small white spots on the film but are tiny mineral deposits within the breast tissue. They can be either carefully watched by additional, periodic mammograms or examined by biopsy (removal of a small amount of breast tissue). They may be caused by benign breast conditions or, less often, by breast cancer.

A mass is another significant change that can be seen on a mammogram. A mass can be many things, including cysts and fibroadenomas but they may be cancer and usually should undergo a biopsy if they are not fluid-filled cysts.

A cyst is a collection of fluid in a small sac in the breast. Although a cyst can feel like a lump, it is very uncommon for a cyst to be cancerous. Either a breast ultrasound or removal of the fluid with a needle (aspiration) confirms that a mass, or lump, is a cyst. If a cyst has ultrasound features that are suggestive of cancer, fluid removed from the cyst will be examined to look for malignant cells or an ultrasound-guided biopsy of the suspicious region of the cyst will be performed.

Having an annual mammogram is an essential part of a woman's health care. Physicians also recommend performing breast self-exam and having a clinical breast exam during the woman's annual physical as part of a three-part approach to breast health.

To schedule a digital mammogram at Baylor Medical Plaza at Keller, call (817)-482-2000; to schedule a film mammogram at Baylor Grapevine, call (817) 329-2548. If a woman has questions about mammography technology, a staff member or physician will be happy to talk with her.