Imaging Modalities for Breast Cancer

Course overview

Breast cancer accounts for a significant number of cancer diagnoses and deaths among women worldwide. Mammography is the most widely used screening tool for breast cancer, but it has limitations, including only moderate sensitivity for detecting cancerous lesions, decreased sensitivity among certain populations of women, and a relatively high false-positive rate. Several imaging modalities are being improved and developed to overcome the shortcomings of mammography. In addition to routine screening and diagnosis, imaging techniques are useful for staging breast cancer, planning treatments, and monitoring response to chemotherapy. Digital breast tomosynthesis, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, optical imaging, and computed tomography may have a place in the future management of breast cancer.