GE unveils new spectral mammography technology for breast cancer
diagnosis
2 June 2010
GE Healthcare (NYSE:GE), has introduced the SenoBright
Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) technology, to detect and
diagnose breast cancer more rapidly and accurately, even in the densest
part of the breast tissue.
It uses X-rays at multiple energies to create two separate
exposures. These resulting images specifically illuminate and
highlight areas where there is angiogenesis, growth of small blood
vessels potentially related to the presence of cancer.
The diagnostic challenge
SenoBright enables the digital mammography system to detect a
whole new type of diagnostic information. Standard mammography only
sees the structure of breast tissue. With SenoBright, doctors can
also locate the proliferation of small blood vessels, potentially
associated with cancerous tumour growth.
In addition, it shows potential for measuring the extension of
the lesion to help to plan surgery and treatment. Patients receive
an intravenous injection of standard iodine contrast agent, and
after two minutes undergo a five-minute digital mammography exam.
CESM images are acquired in familiar mammography views so that that
they can be quickly and easily correlated with standard results,
facilitating interpretation by other specialists like surgeons or
oncologists.
"A CESM exam takes from 5 to 10 minutes," said Dr. Clarisse
Dromain, Gustave Roussy Cancer Institute, France. “During my
investigation of the use of CESM with my own examinations of
patients, I have been able to better define the spread of a cancer
compared to standard mammography and ultrasound, and follow-up exams
with an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) validated exactly the same
results. Moreover, in the majority of cases the confidence in the
diagnosis is high enough that the patient can be told the results
that same day,” she added.
Reinaldo Garcia, President and CEO of GE Healthcare for
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said, “GE Healthcare is
pleased to bring to market such advanced breast imaging technologies
like SenoBright, the result of over 10 years and $12 million
investment of research and clinical collaborations. This innovative
technology will support the earlier diagnosis of this prevalent
disease, by providing access to new diagnostic information at a
lower cost.”
The product development was carried out in collaboration between
GE Healthcare and Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP). The goal
of the joint research program is to develop new and innovative
technologies for aiding in the diagnosis of breast cancer using the
latest developments in digital mammography.
Dr Tidu Maini, Science and Technology Advisor to Her Highness,
Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, and Executive Chairman of
Qatar Science & Technology Park, said, “Our collaboration with GE
Healthcare is a step towards making Qatar a global medical innovator
while delivering real health benefits for the local community.”
Same staff, same equipment — same day
SenoBright is an easy procedure that can be conducted by the same
staff, using the same mammography equipment, potentially on the same
day as the exam — allowing medical professionals to cut the critical
time patients often have to wait from detection to diagnosis.
David Caumartin, GE Healthcare’s General Manager Mammography,
said, “SenoBright is likely to be a key enabler of accelerated
patient workflow from diagnostics to treatment planning. It is
enhancing the widely accepted technology of digital mammography by
adding the functional information in order to detect angiogenesis.”
Clarity of results
Digital mammography is considered a relevant means of breast
cancer screening, delivering proven clinical outcomes. The
sensitivity and specificity of images can, however, be affected by a
range of factors. Dense breast tissue can overlap with lesions,
which are not always visible on an X-ray, and radiologists’
interpretation of images can vary.
Inconclusive digital mammography presents a range of challenges
to healthcare professionals and patients. Ambiguity can result in
diagnostic error, demanding further tests that can include
ultrasound, invasive biopsy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
scanning — all of which could delay the diagnostic process, in some
cases by weeks or even months.
SenoBright can remove this ambiguity, helping to ensure that
those patients who need to go into cancer treatment do so — and do
so quickly. Whereas patients who do not have malignant lesions have
the potential to find out on the same day, relieving their burden of
uncertainty.
“The addition of intravenous contrast to mammography gives us the
possibility to obtain information in the mammogram that was
previously only obtained from MRI,” said Dr. David Dershaw, Director
of Breast Imaging at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, USA.
“This has the potential to convey the advantages of MRI imaging in
screening and diagnosis to women for whom this test is indicated but
not currently available.”
The new CESM technology works with an upgrade to GE Healthcare’s
Senographe DS and Senographe Essential digital mammography
equipment. GE’s Senographe platforms are full-field digital
mammography systems designed to meet clinical needs, from screening
to diagnostic and interventional procedures and designed for future
advanced applications.