Mammi is a dedicated breast PET
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is a non-invasive technique, which, unlike other imaging techniques that only take morphological images, visualizes metabolic activity. The dbPET technology generates functional images to see what really matters: the breast cellular activity.
Mammi’s high resolution (1.6 mm) allows the detection of very small tumors, which is essential in early-stage diagnosis of breast cancer. (22)
Furthermore, Mammi is a highly useful technique for oncologists to measure the response of the tumor after neo-adjuvant therapy.
For a Mammi scan you will lie down comfortably on the examination bed (prone position), following the nurse’s or technician’s instructions. Once you are in position, the Mammi ring will scan only your breast in about 5 – 10 minutes (Mammi double ring time).
After the scan, Mammi reconstructs a real 3D image in which your doctor can see with great sharpness and clarity if any abnormal processes are happening in the breast tissue.
What do you need to know about having a Mammi?
POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES
PET provides images of functional processes.
Information gained from PET exams is often unobtainable by other imaging techniques.
Ring close to the breast to enhance high sensitivity and high resolution (down to 1.6 mm). (23)
Painless. Prone position without breast compression.
Real 3D image.
Mammi visualize small lesions even in complex cases or dense breast.
Low radiation exposure to patients, because Mammi uses a low radiotracer dose and no CT for attenuation correction.
Perfect technique for women with breast reconstructions or implants. Mammi differenciates cancer from previous scar tissue.
Very accurate quantification of radiotracer uptake. Allows early assessment of neoadjuvant therapy.
Suitable for patients with claustrophobia or to whom MRI is contraindicated.
Excellent tool to monitor neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with longitudinal dbPET studies. (24)
POTENTIAL DISADVANTAGES
It´s not sensitive enough to discriminate morphological structures.
Radioactive agent is injected into the patient’s bloodstream.
Results in diabetic patients may be affected because of altered blood sugar or blood insulin levels.
Need to lie down prone on a bed.
What are the benefits of Mammi compared to other diagnostic tests?
There are a few different tests for primary breast cancer diagnosis. Every test has limitations, and requires further analysis and complementary tests which are generally stressful for the patient. Mammi helps your doctor to have a precise and efficient diagnosis in just one scan.
Mammi scans the breast without compression while you are lying on a comfortable bed.
Mammography compresses your breast during the procedure, making it uncomfortable or even painful. This test is not recommended if you have breast implants. Furthermore, if you have small breasts, doctors would find it very difficult to perform the test.
Mammi provides a real 3D image in which your doctor can clearly see if any abnormalities are taking place in the breast tissue, obtaining an accurate and reliable diagnosis.
Breast Ultrasound/Echography is highly dependant on the level of skill and experience of the individual performing the scan, and the experience of the doctor interpreting the images (black and white 2D image on a computer screen). (25)
Mammi reduces the false-positive and false-negative rate results.
MRI has a significant percentage of false-positive results (tests that appear to be abnormal but no cancer is actually present). This “false alarm” requires extra tests to confirm the diagnosis and causes anxiety to the patient.
Mammi allows very small tumors to be visualized, thanks to its high resolution (down to 1.6 mm) and the detector ring placed very close to the breast.
WB-PET is not able to reach the level of accuracy of Mammi, and can miss small tumors.
Mammi reduces approximately 1/3 of the dose of radioactive tracer used in WB-PET.
WB-PET needs significantly more 18F-FDG, a form of sugar that contains a radioactive isotope, which is injected into your blood.
