Breast Specific Gamma Imaging

[Hopeful]

This morning, I had my first BSGI test (Breast Specific Gamma Imaging). It is a nuclear medicine test, like a Muga scan. You get an injection of a radioactive isotope, then sit in a chair while the breast is lightly compressed between two panels. You have to sit still for the camera, and each picture takes ten minutes. They do two pictures of each breast. The idea is that cancer cells have a higher metabolism than regular cells, and will take up the isotope quicker. The entire test is done with a computer, that captures the images and prints them out for the patient. You see the radiologist immediately after the test is finished to receive your results. A written report to your doctor follows in a few days.

My surgery was in June, 2006, and my most recent mammo was my annual in April. I would have gone for a diagnostic mammogram, as my surgeon wants one every six months at this time, but my doctor and I decided to alternate the two tests instead. My breasts are very dense, and we thought this would provide us with additional information and a better idea of what was going on than we would know from just an image.

Now for the results – good news! The radiologist said both breasts were “stable – no hot spots.” My annual mammogram will be in April 2008.

Hopeful