PEM / Breast PET

Positron emission mammography (PEM) is the newest molecular imaging technology for breast cancer. It helps cancer specialists monitor the effect of radiation and chemotherapy on a patient’s tumor. PEM also is used to develop a surgical plan following a breast cancer diagnosis. PEM captures a “snapshot” of the cellular activity occurring within a mass or cancerous tissue. Not only does it reveal the size, shape and location of a suspicious mass, but it is also extremely accurate in identifying cancer. The sensitivity and precision of PEM scanner images exceeds 90 percent.

PEM is recommended over a breast MRI when:

• A patient is menstruating
• A patient is young and still undergoing hormonal changes
• A patient’s size precludes using MRI
• A patient is claustrophobic
• A patient has a curvature in the upper spine
• A patient has metal implants
• A patient reacts adversely to gadolinium contrast
• A patient has kidney disease