Scintimammography: Smaller Is Better

X-ray mammography and ultrasound have proved useful in screening for and diagnosing breast cancer. There are, however, some women in whom these tests have significant problems. A new method for the diagnosis of breast cancer, called scintimammography, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in May 1997 and is currently in use at Johns Hopkins.

In this technique, a small amount of radiotracer is injected, generally in the arm, and the breast is imaged. The patient lies prone or on her abdomen, and the breast is imaged without compression. Scintimammography is different than x-rays and ultrasound because it targets the metabolic "activity" of cancer cells rather simply the contrast between tissues. The entire procedure takes less than an hour and there is very little discomfort involved.
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Immediate Reconstruction After Mastectomy

Patients who are aware, prior to their surgery, of the possibility of breast reconstruction often elect to have the reconstruction started at the time of the mastectomy. About 45 percent of the breast reconstruction patients at Johns Hopkins elect to begin reconstruction when the mastectomy is performed.

In general, there is no increased risk of surgical complications when reconstruction is started at the time of the mastectomy. The plastic surgeon and general surgeon must work closely together to reduce the possibility of complications, since the general surgeon not only must perform a complete mastectomy but also must leave sufficient remaining healthy tissue to be used in the reconstruction.
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Gene Therapy Shows More Promise

The Numbers Behind Xeloda

Debating the Gains of Cancer Research

Attacking Tumors with "Smart Bombs"

Thiotepa Classified as a Carcinogen

Adding Taxol to Chemotherapy

Reducing the Number of Unnecessary Mastectomies

No Trials of Angiostatin and Endostatin This Year

Fatigue Persists Long After Treatment

A Cancer Test to Screen for Tumors

Tracking Tumor Oxygen Levels

How Prognosis Affects Treatment Choices

Complementary Approaches

Profiling Users of Alternative Care

Research Lauds Orange and Grapefruit Juice

Compounds from the Pawpaw Tree