SAN DIEGO, May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Researchers from the
University of Cincinnati presented results from a prospective study
at the American Roentgen Ray Society 2011 Annual Meeting
today, demonstrating how PEM-guided biopsy may expedite
pre-operative work-up and reduce radiation exposure for breast
cancer patients.
PEM scanners are high-resolution breast PET systems that can
show the location as well as the metabolic phase of a lesion. This
information is critical in determining whether a lesion is
malignant and influences the course of treatment. Naviscan’s
Stereo Navigator® Accessory is the first ever commercialized
PET-guided biopsy tool and has been FDA-cleared since 2008.
“PEM is useful for performing local staging in women with newly
diagnosed breast cancer,” stated Dr. Amy Argus, Assistant Professor
of Radiology and one of the lead investigators of the study. “When
additional breast abnormalities are identified by PEM, accurate
PEM-guided biopsy can be performed on the same day as the
diagnostic imaging, which decreases the patient’s radiation dose
and may expedite their preoperative work-up.”
In this study, 18 women with breast cancer classified as BIRADS
5 identified on mammography or ultrasound underwent a PEM scan and
same day PEM-guided biopsy on 24 index and satellite lesions.
Lesion size was 4-60 mm with a mean size of 16 mm.
Results were concordant for 83% of lesions and discordant for
the remaining due to patient movement and operator experience.
PEM is the only technology where physicians are able to
biopsy on the same injection of the radiotracer. This is
because the radiotracer utilized, FDG, does not washout of the
tumor as with other blood flow-dependant modalities like MRI or
BSGI. By avoiding a double injection of radiotracer, the
radiation exposure to the patient and medical personnel is reduced.
Same day procedures are also feasible with PEM given
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