In a North American first, London-based researchers have used a new faster, cheaper, and more comfortable diagnostic imaging tool to perform a breast cancer biopsy.
Lawson Health Research Institute scientists used the Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) to guide them through the biopsy at St. Joseph’s Health Care London on June 12. It was the first time in North America the method has been used during the surgical procedure.
According to researchers, CESM can detect cancerous lesions at a greater rate than standard mammography, and at a close rate to MRIs. Patients undergoing the procedure are injected with a contrast liquid that enhances the visibility of certain tissues during mammography or x-ray.
Currently, when a suspicious lesion is detected using CESM and not by standard mammography or ultrasound, the patient has to undergo an MRI biopsy at a later date. However, wait times for MRIs are long and the procedure costly and uncomfortable.
CESM guided biopsy would eliminate the wait for an MRI as the lesion of concern can be removed using the contrast dye during mammography.
“This new approach has the potential to provide rapid and accurate access for patients and reduce costs. With CESM biopsy technology we are also able to perform biopsy of lesions that are located in areas that MRI guided biopsy cannot reach,” Dr. Anat Kornecki, Lawson associate scientist and St. Joseph's radiologist, said in a statement. “Our initial experience has been very successful, and we hope to see an impact on patient care as well as breast cancer outcomes.”
Researchers are now recruiting 50 patients with suspicious lesions detected using CESM for a study of the new biopsy method.
