Positron emission mammography shows promise in breast cancer

Issue: May 25, 2011

Positron emission mammography demonstrated equal sensitivity and a trend toward increased sensitivity compared with MRI in identifying contralateral breast cancer, according to findings presented at the 21st Annual National Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference.

The aim of the single-site, prospective study was to compare the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the two tools for identifying contralateral breast cancer in a cohort of 208 women.

Contralateral breast lesions were identified by either positron emission mammography or MRI in 71 women. The final analysis included 52 lesions.

Both methods had a sensitivity of 83%. Positron emission mammography was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward increased specificity compared with MRI, 80% vs. 63% (P=.08).

A nonsignificant trend toward increased accuracy for positron emission mammography also was observed, 81% vs. 65% (P=.21).

High-risk lesions were identified equally by both methods, at 33%. Positron emission mammography identified two atypical ductal hyperplasia lesions but failed to identify the four atypical lobular hyperplasia lesions. MRI failed to identify the two atypical ductal hyperplasia lesions but identified two of the four atypical lobular hyperplasia lesions. The researchers said these results may indicate that MRI has a greater sensitivity to atypical lobular hyperplasia (P=.04).

Menopausal status and breast density influence MRI but not positron emission mammography, according to the researchers.

Positron emission mammography "has the potential to make significant contributions in preoperative imaging evaluation of the contralateral breast in subjects with newly identified breast cancer," they wrote.

For more information:

Schilling K. Presented at: National Consortium of Breast Centers' 21st Annual National Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference; March 12-16, 2011; Las Vegas.

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