Contrast-enhanced mammography

Some cancers that may not be visible on a standard mammogram (images will now be taken before and after the contrast image), and during the administration of the contrast agent, the flow of contrast over time will be shown. Fast-growing, i.e. aggressive, tumors require an increased blood supply (due to their accelerated growth), so the contrast agent will accumulate extremely quickly in such areas and will also wash out quickly, while benign tumors show slow accumulation of the contrast agent.

Who should have contrast-enhanced mammography and why?

Every woman who goes for regular breast examinations should also consider contrast-enhanced mammography. Contrast-enhanced mammography is especially useful in women with dense breast tissue and suspicious lesions of the breast parenchyma.

What are the advantages of contrast-enhanced mammography?

According to current research, contrast-enhanced mammography is similar to, and some studies say even equivalent to, breast MRI in detecting breast cancer, but they state that it is certainly superior to breast ultrasound and standard mammography. In comparison with breast MRI, contrast-enhanced mammography is cheaper and there is no need to enter an MRI machine, but we would also note that the examination takes less time, although in our clinic we use a FAST MRI protocol that shortens the breast MRI examination to only 7 minutes.

What are the risks associated with contrast-enhanced mammography?

Contrast-enhanced mammography uses a slightly higher amount of radiation (x-rays) than standard mammography. Women with impaired kidney function (glomerular filtration rate value) will not be able to receive the contrast agent because it is excreted through the kidneys.

What can women expect?

The procedure does not differ much from a conventional mammogram. A specially qualified radiologic technologist will position your breast in the mammography unit, i.e. the imaging area. Your breast will be placed on a special platform and compressed with a plastic holder so that the breast tissue is properly distributed and so that overlapping of structures within the breast does not occur. The technologist will gradually compress your breast and then take the images. After that, the contrast agent will be administered and the imaging will be repeated once again.

Remember that less compression allows for lower image quality.

More about preparation for a breast examination?

More about IV contrast and preparation!