Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI)

BSGI is an exciting new approach to optimal breast cancer detection. Unlike mammography or ultrasound which looks for breast cancer based on anatomy, that is how it looks different than the surrounding breast tissue, BSGI asks a different question which is, how does breast cancer function differently than the normal surrounding breast tissue. Using this fundamentally different approach to breast cancer detection we find additional cancers.

Like MRI this is used in addition to mammography and often ultrasound and is used as a problem solving tool. BSGI is used in situations similar to MRI which include:

• women with newly diagnosed breast cancer
  
• women at very high risk for breast cancer for whom additional surveillance is indicated
• women with an equivocal mammographic or clinical finding that requires more information to determine if what they have is significant
• in certain other situations as determined by your physician.

BSGI is very exciting new tool for help with optimal breast cancer detection. 

Unlike MRI it can be performed in all women, including those women who cannot undergo an MRI. In addition to finding more cancers and earlier cancers in women who require this type of evaluation, it has less false positives than MRI as well as some other advantages in that is more comfortable for the woman undergoing the examination. In fact a woman can comfortably read or watch TV during this examination.

It is important to note that BSGI requires an injection of a radiotracer, which is a low dose agent which contains radiation. We try to minimize all radiation exposure to patients, but in properly selected patients, BSGI can be lifesaving examination.  You should discuss the examination with your physician!

It important to remember that not all sites identified with BSGI or MRI are cancer and therefore if additional areas are seen, they may require further investigation includingultrasound (even if an ultrasound has already been performed).

When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer there is a 10% chance there is a secondary site of breast cancer that was not detected prior to BSGI or MRI examination. That is why Dr. Brem recommends that in ALL women with newly diagnosed breast cancer additional evaluation that will allow for the detection of these additional areas of cancer should be done, such as BSGI or MRI. This examination may , of course, change the decision as to best treat a woman with newly diagnosed breast cancer, but information is power and we should do our best to detect all areas of breast cancer before a woman undergoes treatment to do all we can to allow her to havethe optimal treatment for her particular situation.

As always, we must be our own best advocates and know all we can to help ourselves. If you are newly diagnosed with breast cancer, talk to your doctor about having a BSGI or MRI. Although we do not render medical advice, the Brem Foundation is always here to help if you need us!