Mammography, Thermography, Ultrasound; What are the differences?

				Mammography	Thermography	Ultrasound

Source Used For Imaging Radation Free: Non-Invasive:				Uses X-rays (radation) to produce an image that is a showdow of dense structures. Potential Disadvantages - Supsicious areas need to be dense enough to be seen.	Uses infrared sensors to detect heat and increased blood flow (angiogenesis). The heat images are analysed for any abnormalities or concerns.	Uses high frequency sound waves. The images are analysed for an any abnormalities or concerns.

Type of Imaging Anatomical (structural): Examines basis of changes caused by disease. Functional: Examines changes in metabolism, blood flow, regional chemical composition, and absorption.				Anatomical Imaging Ability to locate the exact area of supicision.	Funcitional Imaging Cannot locate the exact area of supicision.	Anatomical Imaging Ability to locate the exact area of supicision.

Detection Method Early Detection:					Used as an adjunctive imaging test.	Used as an adjunctive Test. Cannot see fine detail; however, good at distinguishing solid masses from fluid filled.

Diagnosis Cancer Findings indicates increased susipicion:				CANNOT DIAGNOSE CANCER Biopsy is the only test that can determine if a suspected tissue area is cancerous.	CANNOT DIAGNOSE CANCER Biopsy is the only test that can determine if a suspected tissue area is cancerous.	CANNOT DIAGNOSE CANCER Biopsy is the only test that can determine if a suspected tissue area is cancerous.

What can the imaging test detect?				May detect tumors in pre-invasive stage.	May provide first signal that a problem is developing. Postive thermal imaging represents the highest known risk factor of potential development of breast cancer up to 10 times more significant than any family history.	Ability to detect some cancers missed by mammography.
Detection Rate Sensitivity: the likelyness of how a test is to pick-up the presence of disease in a person. Less than 10% of cancers missed:				Average Sensitivity: 80% 20% of cancers missed; women over age 50. --------------------------------------- Sensitivity under age 50: 60% 40% of cancers missed; women under age 50.	Average Sensitivity: 90% 10% of cancers missed; all age groups.	Average Sensitivity: 83% 17% of cancers missed; all age groups.
Factors that can affect the imaging test detect?
Hormone use; decreases sensitivity?
Large, dense and fibrocystic breast, resulting in reading difficulities.
Peripheral areas next to chest wall and inframammary sulcus cannot be visualized; in most women..
Sources: Index Medicus – ACS, NEJM, JNCI, J Breast, J Radiology, J Clin Ultrasound / Index Medicus – Cancer, AJOG, Thermology / Text – Atlas of Mammography: New Early Signs in Breast Cancer / Text – Biomedical Thermology