Breast cancer other imaging studies

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ammu Susheela, M.D. [2]

Overview

Other diagnostic studies for breast cancer include scintimammography and bone scan.

Scintimammography

• Scintimammography uses a radioactive material (known as a radioactive isotope) and a special camera to take pictures of the breast. It is done:

• to check breast lumps that do not show up clearly on a mammogram because of:

• scar tissue from previous surgery or radiation therapy
• dense breast tissue
• breast implants

• when multiple tumours are seen in the breast
• to scan the lymph nodes in the armpit (axilla) to see if they contain cancer

• Scintimammography is not commonly used. It does not replace mammography, which is still the standard imaging test used to diagnose breast cancer. At present, scintimammography is considered a second-line diagnostic tool. It may be used in some women to assess breast abnormalities after a mammogram.

Bone Scan

• A bone scan uses bone-seeking radioactive materials (radiopharmaceuticals) and a computer to create a picture of the bones. It is used to see if breast cancer has spread (metastasized) to the bones.
• A bone scan may be done if:

• alkaline phosphatase in the blood is increased
• there are lymph nodes in the armpit (axillary lymph nodes) that can be felt
• the primary breast tumour is larger than 5 cm
• the woman has aches and pains that may be caused by bone metastases

• A bone scan is not done in women who have stage I breast cancer.