DICOM Conformance Statement

CTLM^® - Laser Breast Imaging Without Compression

Experts tell us it is wise to get a yearly mammogram but many women fear the pressure and pain of breast compression. Shouldn't there be a less painful and more accurate way to see breast abnormalities?

CTLM, an exciting new way of looking at breast abnormalities, may be the answer.

CTLM stands for Computed Tomography Laser Mammography and is a method of looking at the blood flow to the breast. Since newly forming tumors have increased blood flow, CTLM may be the answer to finding very small tumors which can be hidden in routine mammography. Additionally, dense breast tissue is easily penetrated with the laser while traditional mammography has difficulty with dense breast.

Facts About CTLM^® And Optical Imaging

• CT laser breast imaging is part of the emerging field of optical imaging.
• CTLM images blood flow to the breast and thereby should visualize Tumor Angiogenesis.
• CTLM does not use ionizing radiation (no x-rays).
• CTLM images through implants and dense breast tissue easily, unlike mammography which has difficulty penetrating very dense tissue.
• There is NO breast compression with CTLM and the breast hangs in the machine opening in it's natural position.
• In a study of over 100 women, including 30 with breast cancer, optical imaging increased sensitivity and specificity of breast cancer detection by more than 90% (Britton Chance, Molecular Imaging, Vol. 2 #2)
• The average scan time is about 10-15 minutes per breast.
• CTLM may provide a brighter future for cancer patients due to earlier diagnosis and treatment. Early visualization of tumors in the evolving process will lead to breast sparing surgery and less trauma to the patient.