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Breast Tomosynthesis

Health professional information

Authors: Dr Kirti Mehta *
                            Dr Felicity Pool *

What is breast tomosynthesis?

Breast tomosynthesis (often referred to as 3D mammography) is a type of X-ray examination of the breast. It is a relatively new technology, and research about how to fully utilise it is still being carried out. It has already been shown to be beneficial in the detection of small breast cancers compared with conventional mammography, particularly in women with dense breast tissue, which can mask abnormal areas in a conventional mammogram. In Australia, the national breast cancer screening program is waiting for more complete data before deciding whether to offer breast tomosynthesis routinely. A few centres offer tomosynthesis in their assessment clinics to obtain additional information about a possible lesion (an abnormality caused by injury or disease) identified previously using conventional screening mammograms. Tomosynthesis is widely used in private diagnostic clinics where patients are often investigated for breast symptoms or if they have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Why would my doctor refer me to have breast tomosynthesis?

Mammography (screening) currently remains the first type of investigation used when there are no symptoms related to one or both breasts.

Mammography (diagnostic) is carried out when a person, their doctor or another health professional discovers unusual signs or symptoms in one or both breasts, such as a lump, tenderness, nipple discharge or abnormal skin. It is used to confirm whether any of these changes are likely to be benign (non-cancerous) and no treatment is needed, or whether these changes indicate possible breast cancer and further tests and/or treatment will be required. Tomosynthesis can also be used for improving images (or pictures) in dense breast tissue, and to obtain clearer images of a suspected abnormality seen on screening mammogram and/or breast ultrasound.

How do I prepare for breast tomosynthesis?

The required patient preparation is similar to that for conventional mammography. If you are premenopausal it might be best to wait one week after the start of your period, as your breasts might not be as tender at the time of examination and the breast compression is better tolerated.

If you have breast implants you might need a longer appointment time, so please let the hospital, clinic or radiology practice know. The presence of implants might require more images to be taken.

You are advised not to wear talcum powder, lotion or deodorant on the day of the examination, as these substances can appear on the images. You should wear a two-piece outfit, as you will be asked to undress from the waist up.

It is very important to bring any previous mammograms with you so that a comparison with your current examination can be made.

What happens during breast tomosynthesis?

The breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) examination is often carried out at the same time and using the same equipment as a conventional mammogram, usually by a female radiographer. Before the examination, you will be asked questions about your breast health history, such as ‘Have you noticed any changes in your breasts recently or since your last mammogram?’, or whether there is any personal history of previous breast biopsy or surgery.

You will be asked to undress from the waist up for the examination. Generally, a minimum of two views is taken of each breast. The breast is compressed between two X-ray plates, as with a conventional mammogram.

Compression generally only lasts a few seconds at a time. If breast tomosynthesis is carried out in addition to conventional mammography, then compression is only for a few seconds longer than the conventional mammogram. Some women might experience discomfort during the procedure. It is important you tell the radiographer if you are experiencing pain. The procedure can be stopped at any time. Some women have particularly sensitive breasts and should advise the radiographer if this is the case. The radiographer will work with you to ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible. Compression of the breast is necessary, as the images might be blurry without compression and it also helps to reduce the amount of radiation required.

Are there any after effects of breast tomosynthesis?

There are generally no after effects following a breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) examination. Although rare, you might experience tenderness, bruising or splitting of the skin from the compression, if your skin is fragile.

How long does breast tomosynthesis take?

Breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) is often carried out at the same time as a conventional diagnostic mammogram. A patient is generally allocated a 30-minute time slot. The actual procedure takes approximately 10-15 minutes, and the breast is compressed for between 4–30 seconds per image. At least two views per breast are required. Compression time will depend on the machine being used. In a diagnostic X-ray clinic or hospital, the images are usually reviewed immediately by a radiologist so that any extra images required can be carried out at the same time. Often a breast ultrasound is also booked on the same day and extra time is allocated for this test.

What are the risks of breast tomosyntheis?

Like all X-rays, having a breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) or conventional mammogram exposes you to some radiation, but only a small amount. Scientists estimate that there is less than a 1 in 25,000 risk of a mammogram causing breast cancer1,2 (see Radiation Risk in Medical Imaging for Adults and Children).

Such a small risk is far outweighed by the benefit of early detection of breast cancer, significantly reducing the death rate from the disease. The Health Protection Agency of the United Kingdom estimates the risk of an additional cancer in a lifetime from a single mammographic examination to be in the low-risk range: 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 10,0003. The risk of developing cancer from a mammogram is no greater than developing cancer from exposure to the natural background radiation accumulated from the normal environment in one year.

If you have breast implants, there is an extremely small risk of damage to the implant.

It is important to note that mammography and breast tomosynthesis do not detect all breast cancers, even when the cancer has caused a lump that can be felt. In such a circumstance, a conventional mammogram or breast tomosynthesis examination does not mean the lump can be ignored. In this situation, other diagnostic tests, such as breast ultrasound and if necessary, needle biopsy, might be required to find out the cause of the lump.

What are the benefits of a breast tomosynthesis?

The advantage of breast tomosynthesis is that the breast tissue is examined layer by layer in thin slices. By examining the tissue in thin slices the radiologist gets a ‘clearer’ image of each layer of the breast, as the effects of overlapping tissue are removed. Breast tomosynthesis has been shown in numerous clinical studies to increase the detection of early breast cancer. It has also been shown to decrease the number of unnecessary recalls for further imaging and possibly biopsy, therefore reducing unnecessary anxiety.

Who does the breast tomosynthesis?

A radiographer is a technician who has been specially trained in mammography and breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography), and will carry out the examination. A radiologist is a specialist doctor trained in reading X-rays. Radiologists reading breast tomosynthesis and mammogram examinations are specially trained in breast imaging. The radiologist will provide a written report outlining your results to your referring doctor.

Where is the breast tomosynthesis done?

In Australia, breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) is often carried out as part of a diagnostic mammogram rather than breast screening. Diagnostic mammograms are carried out in hospital radiology departments and private radiology practices, usually for:

  • high risk patients, such as women with a strong family history of breast cancer;
  • those showing signs and symptoms, such as a lump or nipple discharge; and/or
  • women with dense breasts (common in women under the age of 50 years).

It is best to check with the individual clinic to ask if they offer breast tomosynthesis, as it is not yet widely available.

When can I expect the results of my breast tomosynthesis?

The time that it takes your doctor to receive a written report will vary, depending on:

  • the urgency with which the result is needed;
  • the complexity of the examination;
  • whether more information is needed from your doctor before the examination can be interpreted by the radiologist;
  • whether you have had previous X-rays or other medical imaging that needs to be compared with this new test or procedure (this is commonly the case if you have a disease or condition that is being followed to assess your progress);
  • how the report is conveyed from the practice or hospital to your doctor (i.e. phone, email, fax or mail).

The private radiology practice, clinic, or hospital where you are having your test or procedure will be able to tell you when your doctor is likely to have the written report.

It is important that you discuss the results with the doctor who referred you, either in person or on the telephone, so that they can explain what the results mean for you.

Useful websites about breast tomosynthesis:

www.genius3d.com.au

References:

    1. NHS Public Health England, NHS Breast Screening Programme: current position on use of tomosynthesis, March 2016, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/517840/BSP_position_on_tomosynthesis.pdf
    2. BreastScreen Victoria 2015, Australian trial supports efficacy of 3D mammography for Breast Cancer Assessment, October 2014, http://newsroom.breastscreen.org.au/australian-trial-supports-efficacy–of-3d-mammography-for-breast-cancer-assessment/
    3. The Health Protection Agency, X-rays – How safe are they?, May 2001, https://www.phe-protectionservices.org.uk/cms/assets/gfx/content/resource_3317cs2c758933af.pdf
    *The author has no conflict of interest with this topic.

Page last modified on 23/2/2024.

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