3D Mammography

Southern Regional offers 3D Tomosynthesis – three-dimensional mammography technology – to improve critical patient care for early breast cancer detection and treatment. The hospital’s True Breast Tomosynthesis solution takes aim at improving breast cancer detection, reducing false-positive findings and cutting patient call backs, especially in patients with dense breast tissue.

While standard 2D mammograms take an image of the top and bottom side of a patient’s breast, 3D tomosynthesis takes approximately 25 images of the breast from many angles as the X-ray tube moves across the breast in a 50-degree arc. These images are assembled into a 3D study so doctors can see the breast tissue in fine detail. It allows them to see clearly through breast tissue that may be overlapping, or through the tissue of women with dense breasts. Physicians are better able to detect and diagnose small tumors and rule out abnormalities that may have looked suspicious in the patient’s 2D mammogram.

Early detection is critical to surviving breast cancer. By reducing the distortion created by tissue overlap or dense breast tissue in 2D mammograms, physicians are better able to target the size, shape and location of a tumor through the 3D mammogram.

Clinical data has demonstrated that digital breast tomosynthesis increases detection of breast tumors and increased diagnostic accuracy can mean fewer diagnostic biopsy procedures and fewer anxiety-inducing recalls, which will typically contribute to improved patient outcomes. Southern Regional Medical Center installed the 3D technology to its existing Mammomat Inspiration mammography platform from Siemens. The facility’s team completed special training and certification on the True Breast Tomosynthesis technology prior to offering the service publicly.

3D Mammography option is available at Southern Regional Medical Center’s Diagnostic Center at 11 Upper Riverdale Road in Riverdale, GA. For more information or to schedule a 3D mammogram, call 770-991-8144.