Tomosynthesis mammography involves taking detailed, tomographic images of the breast tissue during a mammogram. This method, which was approved by the FDA in the United States in 2011, is one of the latest technologies used in the medical field.

In digital mammography with tomosynthesis, instead of just two images of the left or right breast, multiple images are captured. Similar to a computed tomography (CT) scan, a 3D image of the breast tissue is obtained, with slices as thin as 1mm.

What are the Advantages of Tomosynthesis Mammography ?

• Improved Detection of Cancer: In traditional digital mammography, a 2D image of the breast is taken, which can cause overlapping of tissue layers. This overlap may conceal cancerous tissue, leading to a missed diagnosis. With tomosynthesis, multiple 1mm-thick slices are taken, creating a 3D view of the breast. This significantly reduces the likelihood of missing cancer.
• Increased Detection Rate: Tomosynthesis mammography increases the detection rate of breast cancer compared to traditional 2D mammography.
• Reduces Unnecessary Procedures: By providing a 3D image of the breast, tomosynthesis can help distinguish between cancerous tissue and non-cancerous tissue that may appear suspicious in a 2D image. This helps prevent unnecessary follow-up procedures, such as breast ultrasound, MRI, or biopsy, for benign conditions that could otherwise be mistakenly identified as cancer.

Tomosynthesis and Radiation Dose

There is no significant difference in radiation dose between traditional digital mammography and digital mammography with tomosynthesis. The radiation exposure in both procedures is comparable.