Advanced Imaging Techniques for Breast Cancer

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania

Disqualifiers: Advanced cancer, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

400 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This project is aimed at investigating the relative diagnostic and synergy of four state of the art breast imaging techniques (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), full-field digital mammography (DMAM), ultrasound, and positron emission tomography (PET)) with respect to determining the extent of breast cancer.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Digital Mammography, 2D Mammography, Conventional Mammography, MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, PET, Ketalar, Special K, Ultrasound, Ultrasound Imaging, Sonography, Diagnostic Ultrasound for breast cancer?

Imaging techniques like mammography and MRI are crucial for early detection and accurate staging of breast cancer, which can significantly improve treatment outcomes. While mammography has been shown to reduce mortality in women over 50, MRI and ultrasound provide additional tools for managing breast cancer, especially when used together with other imaging methods. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is advanced imaging for breast cancer safe for humans?

Advanced imaging techniques like digital mammography, MRI, and ultrasound are generally considered safe for humans. MRI does not use ionizing radiation, which is a concern with X-ray-based methods, and ultrasound is also free from radiation risks. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does the advanced imaging treatment for breast cancer differ from other treatments?

This advanced imaging treatment for breast cancer is unique because it uses new imaging techniques like abbreviated MRI, ultrafast dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, and photoacoustic imaging to provide detailed information about the tumor's structure and metabolism, which helps in better diagnosis and treatment planning compared to traditional methods like mammography and ultrasound. ^{11 12 13 14 15}

Research Team

Abass Alavi, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Pennsylvania

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for women recently diagnosed with breast cancer who will have surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. It's not for pregnant women, those treated with preoperative therapy for advanced cancer, anyone with MRI contraindications, or a past diagnosis in the same breast within 5 years.

Inclusion Criteria

I will have surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania after the study.

I have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Exclusion Criteria

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in the same breast within the last 5 years.

Pregnant women

I am receiving initial treatment for my advanced cancer before any surgery.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Diagnostic Imaging

Participants undergo diagnostic imaging using MRI, DMAM, ultrasound, and PET to determine the extent of breast cancer

4-6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after imaging procedures

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Digital Mammography
• MRI
• PET
• Ultrasound

Trial Overview The study compares four imaging techniques—MRI, digital mammography (DMAM), ultrasound, and PET scans—to see how well they work together to determine the extent of breast cancer before surgery.

Participant Groups

Group I: Patients Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pennsylvania

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,118

Recruited

45,270,000+

Findings from Research

Early diagnosis and accurate treatment of breast cancer can lead to a cure in 90% of cases, highlighting the critical role of diagnostic imaging in improving disease outcomes.

Recent advancements in imaging techniques, such as MRI and PET-CT, enhance the detection and characterization of breast cancer, although none can provide a definitive histological diagnosis without imaging-guided biopsies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Role of imaging in the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms of breast cancer]. Godény, M., Szabó, E., Bidlek, M., et al.[2016]

In a study of 45 breast cancer patients and 35 benign tumor patients, key MRI indicators for diagnosing breast cancer were identified, including tumor edge features, time-signal intensity curve (TIC) types, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values at b=500 s/mm2.

The combination of conventional MRI, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI provided the best diagnostic approach, with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) serving as a useful supplementary tool for challenging cases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Optimization of diagnosis indicator selection and inspection plan by 3.0T MRI in breast cancer]. Jiang, Z., Wang, Y., He, Z., et al.[2015]

In a study of 9,208 women aged 40 to 64, those who underwent breast MRI experienced significantly more downstream medical events (39 additional mammary events and 19.6 additional extramammary events per 100 women) compared to those who had mammograms.

Breast MRI also resulted in higher overall healthcare costs, with an increase of $1,404 per woman in total spending and $31 more in out-of-pocket expenses, suggesting that while MRI may provide more information, it also leads to more procedures and costs that may not always be necessary.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Downstream Mammary and Extramammary Cascade Services and Spending Following Screening Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging vs Mammography Among Commercially Insured Women. Ganguli, I., Keating, NL., Thakore, N., et al.[2022]

Emerging breast imaging modalities, such as digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and molecular breast imaging, show promise in addressing the limitations of traditional mammography for various purposes including screening and diagnosis.

These new techniques may enhance the accuracy of breast cancer detection and treatment planning, potentially improving outcomes for patients, especially those at high risk.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emerging breast imaging modalities. Rush, B.[2012]

References

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[Role of imaging in the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms of breast cancer]. [2016]

2. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Optimization of diagnosis indicator selection and inspection plan by 3.0T MRI in breast cancer]. [2015]

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Downstream Mammary and Extramammary Cascade Services and Spending Following Screening Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging vs Mammography Among Commercially Insured Women. [2022]

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Emerging breast imaging modalities. [2012]

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