Since the dye accumulates differently in cancerous and non-cancerous tissues, scintimammography can help physicians determine whether cancer is present. Nuclear medicine breast image, courtesy of Siemens Medical. Nuclear medicine breast imaging is not a screening tool for breast cancer. However, after a physical breast exam, mammography, and ultrasound are performed, nuclear medicine breast imaging may be appropriate for certain patients. Supplemental breast imaging helps determine whether a patient has a suspicious breast abnormality that would require a biopsy to confirm the presence of breast cancer.
Mastectomy is indicated if there are multiple tumors.
However, mammography and physical exams are often very useful for detecting large abnormalities. It is the small abnormalities that tend to need additional imaging. Therefore, in this respect, nuclear medicine breast imaging is often of limited value. This image shows a patient prepared for a nuclear medicine breast imaging exam. Nuclear medicine involves the use of radiation, but the dose is very low and is not harmful to patients.