Published on June 29, 2011

Alexian Brothers Health System Among the First to Offer 3-D Mammography

Arlington Heights, IL -- Women who undergo mammograms at St. Alexius Medical Center, Hoffman Estates, or Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Elk Grove Village, may soon have the latest diagnostic technology available. Radiologists with both Alexian Brothers Health System hospitals will be among the first trained to offer 3-D breast tomosynthesis with a digital mammography system.

Last year, Alexian Brothers Health System purchased 2-D digital mammography equipment to offer the latest in breast cancer screening at all of its breast care centers. Hologic, the manufacturer of this Selinia Dimensions 2-D system, has recently received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for 3-D digital mammography tomosynthesis, and both Alexian Brothers Medical Center and St. Alexius Medical Center will be upgrading to the new technology this summer.

Breast tomosynthesis is a revolutionary technology that gives radiologists the ability to identify and characterize individual breast structures without the confusion of overlapping tissue. During a tomosynthesis exam, multiple, low-dose images of the breast are acquired at different angles. These images are then used to produce a series of one-millimeter thick slices that can be viewed as a 3-D reconstruction of the breast. While 2-D digital mammography imaging is still heralded for its ability to produce sharp images, the 3-D images in combination with the 2-D produce even greater margin visibility and allow radiologists to more accurately identify suspicious material in dense breast tissue.

Selenia Dimensions is the latest generation of mammography equipment from Hologic, the women’s healthcare company, the world leader in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. The Selenia Dimensions system offers exceptionally sharp breast images, an advanced ergonomic design providing more patient comfort, and a ground-breaking 3-D tomosynthesis platform designed to deliver superior screening and diagnostic performance. Patients must meet certain criteria for 3-D tomosynthesis.

By offering women the latest technology in mammography, Alexian Brothers Health System hopes to increase the number of area women who will be routinely screened. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer. Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s chance of survival. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is 97 percent.