Mammography 1949 – Imaging Breast Tissue

In 1913, the German surgeon Albert Salomon became the first physician to discuss the potential benefits of X-ray studies in breast cancer. During his remarkable career, Salomon also:

• Studied thousands of mastectomy specimens 
• Compared X-ray images with microscopic tissue samples 
• Became the first to observe microcalcifications associated with malignant tumors on X-ray images 

Microcalcifications are tiny calcium deposits that appear as bright white spots or dots against the background of the breast's soft tissue and may indicate small benign cysts or early signs of breast cancer.

In 1949, the Uruguayan physician Raul Leborgne suggested compressing breast tissue between the plates of a mammography machine to obtain clear images. Compression would reduce the thickness of tissue that X-rays needed to penetrate and the required X-ray dose. In 1960, the American radiologist Robert Egan became known for obtaining clear mammograms using suitable voltage and films.

Today, full-field digital mammography (FFDM) uses electronic digital detectors instead of conventional film cassettes. The resulting digital information can easily be enhanced, enlarged and stored. 

Ultrasound, MRI and PET scans may also supplement mammography. Cancerous tissue may be missed on mammograms, especially in younger women, whose breast tissue is denser than that of older women. Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) uses computer software to search for possible cancers a physician might miss.

If a mammogram detects a possible cancer, a biopsy may be needed to examine actual tissue from the breast area in question. Unfortunately, mammograms sometimes suggest that breast cancer is present when it is not, which can lead to unnecessary biopsies.

Genetic mutations can cause cancer when cells lose the ability to stop dividing. 

A woman's risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Women who inherit a defective BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene also have a high risk of breast and ovarian cancers. 

Breast cancer treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and radiation. Some breast cancers can also be treated with hormonal medicines that suppress the effects of hormones such as estrogen.

About the Article Image: Mammograms of a normal breast (left) and a cancerous breast (right)

Historical Figures Mentioned in the Article: Albert Salomon (1883–1976), Raul Leborgne (1907–1986), Robert L. Egan (1920–2001)

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