Table 1.
Advantages and disadvantages of various imaging techniques in breast cancer
| Imaging method | Application | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mammography | Golden standard imaging and diagnosis of breast cancer early stages | • It uses low levels of X-rays for imaging • This method is good for detecting DCIS and calcifications • Mammography is the gold standard method to detect early-stage breast cancer before the lesions become clinically palpable |
• Radiation risk and other risks • Risk of false alarm • It is difficult for the radiologist to interpret the results from mammograms as mammograms generally have low contrast • Double reading of mammogram leads to increase in the cost of detection • Mammography alone misses many cancers in dense-breasted women |
| Ultrasound | Suitable for dense and soft tissues | • Widely available and accessible • Noninvasive • Quick • Highly sensitive • Suitable for women with dense breasts |
• Quality and interpretation of the image depends highly on the skill of the person doing the scan |
| Thermography | Suitable for muscle tissue | • Noninvasive | • Physicians can have difficulty interpreting the images because of the low quality and low resolution of the images taken by the first generation of the medical infrared imaging cameras |