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SonoCine for Early Breast Cancer Detection
SonoCine has been an investigational device since June 2001, which offers new high definition ultrasound breast cancer detection method that is able to detect breast cancers that traditional mammogram or conventional ultrasound exams might miss. SonoCine finally received FDA Approval in December 2008. SonoCine has also a track record of detecting some cancers before they can be even felt by breast self examination. The reason why SonoCine stands alone from traditional ultrasound is that it produces from 2,000 to 5,000 permanent images. Traditional ultrasound is only capable of doing 30 permanent images. Women who have dense breasts can really benefit from SonoCine as it is harder to see potential visible cancers on conventional mammography.
Image courtesy of SonoCine System
The SonoCine Method:
The main difference between the SonoCine and traditional ultrasound are that ultrasound is not supported by the American College of Radiology to screen the entire breast. Ultrasound is a hand held device compared to the SonoCine semi-automatic ability. Ultrasound also is focused exam only, meaning that they are confirming the diagnosis of prior mammogram that detected a palpable lump or mass.
Mammograms have saved tens of thousands of women’s lives each year; however each mammogram consists of only four static X-ray images, each one taken through the entire thickness of the breast. As a result, small tumors may be seen within the layers of adjacent normal breast tissue. With SonoCine the breast exam captures 2,000 to 5,000 images of thin slices of tissue and links them together so that they may be viewed like a movie. This makes it easier for the radiologist to see the disruption in tissue patterns caused by cancer. These anomalies may be obscured by overlapping tissue in composite mammographic images.
SonoCine does not replace Mammograms. SonoCine is used to compliment mammograms. SonoCine excels in finding cancers in dense breast tissue, and has been shown to excel at detecting these cancers before a lump is felt by self examination. Mammograms can detect certain other cancers (small calcified non-invasive or minimally invasive cancers). Mammograms also excel at recognizing cancer in fatty tissue. The benefits of SonoCine are noticeable. Women who are at high risk for breast cancer can benefit substantially from SonoCine. SonoCine is painless; it does not require breast compression. SonoCine may detect cancers missed by mammograms and may find other cancers sooner. When combined with mammography, SonoCine may reduce radical and invasive cancer treatments and increase cancer survival rates because of early detection. This procedure uses breast ultrasound imaging instead of X-rays.
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