| Color X-hones cancer-hunting |
|
|
Mammography in color begins next year tested in Stockholm. Multi-detected breast cancer cases and less concern for the tens of thousands of women may be the result.
Each year over 600,000 women in Sweden mammography. Around 20,000 are
called back to do more studies because radiologist found no anomalies. With a Swedish-developed super-sensitive color detector, that figure
likely be cut significantly. Less concerned about women and reduced
costs for health care is the result.
We hope to reduce the number of recalled by half, says Karin Leifland, director of mammography activities of Unilab, which annually provides 250,000 women mammography in Sweden.
Karin Leifland responsible for the clinical trial of mammography in
color next summer starts at St George's Hospital in Stockholm. The
study will last for one year and include approximately 6000 women.
We also believe that we will detect tumors earlier.
Today's surveys of mammography misses about 30 percent of cancers. It
is partly that it is difficult to distinguish from breast cancer tumors
with high percentage of milk glands, so-called dense breasts. The new
detector counting each photon passing through the chest. This allows
the radiation dose can be reduced by half. By separating the photons
with different energy levels is also possible to obtain new data. These
include water. If it is enough to determine if a lump in the breast is
a harmless fluid-filled cyst or a solid tissue that requires closer
examination, to study at St. George will tell.
Energy levels can also be encoded to be colors. Combined with contrast
fluid, the result is images that cancer cells glow in pink against a
black background.
Simulations show that the detector can lead to 1500 more cases of breast cancer is discovered in Sweden every year.
The technology is very promising, says Karin Leifland.
Lagdosmammografin has its roots in research breakthroughs at KTH. Until
last summer, the technology in the Swedish company Sectra Mamea. When
Philips bought the company for 575 million.
Now the company is investing heavily in Solna. During the next two
years will further 20-30 engineers employed. The demand for equipment
is solid, not least in the U.S. market, where five devices are now
supplied.
Since the equipment will also be able to measure the density of the
breast, there is an opportunity to adapt the screening for every woman,
says Jesper Soderqvist, president of Philips. Women with less dense
breasts may have longer intervals between sessions.
|
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
