PEM or Positron Emission Mammography is a new and extremely effective technique for detecting and managing breast cancer. PEM is very similar to PET (Positron Emission Tomography) in its ability to represent the physiology or metabolism of the area of interest, and not just the anatomical information. Just like during a PET scan, an intravenous injection of a glucose based radioactive tracer or FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is administered. Malignancies frequently function at a higher metabolic rate than normal tissue and therefore concentrate the FDG to a higher degree than normal tissue.

Many times, benign masses and calcifications are indistinguishable from malignant lesions. Through a unique combination of gentle immobilization and image processing, PEM provides Radiologists, Breast Surgeons, Medical Oncologists and Nuclear Medicine Specialists with a powerful tool to spot and accurately characterize breast cancer. Physicians and their patients can now make a more informed decision as to their course of treatment.

What are the Benefits of PEM?

• PEM captures localized images of the breast, producing very sharp, detailed images of breast lesions – as small as 2mm.
• Studies have shown that both the sensitivity and specificity of images produced by PEM exceed 90%. As a result, surgeons can more accurately stage lesions and plan surgeries, resulting in optimal clinical results.
• PEM complements ultrasound, mammography, and breast MRI to detect local recurrent disease, and is ideal for guiding breast biopsies.
• Dense breast tissue and hormonal status are common limitations of mammography and breast MRI in detecting breast cancer. PEM shows high sensitivity and is not limited by these factors.
• PEM uses much less compression on the breast. Patient sits upright during the exam and is not alone or closely confined as she would be during an MRI exam.