Course Description
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in American women and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The long-term survival of patients depends critically on the stage at the time of diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate is approximately 99% among patients whose cancer is identified while in situ or local but decreases to less than 25% for those diagnosed with distant metastases. Mammography is widely used in the screening and diagnosis of patients with breast cancer, but it is associated with a high false-positive rate and is less effective in detecting the disease in younger women or in those with dense breast tissue. Functional molecular breast imaging involves the use of nuclear medicine and other techniques to noninvasively visualize, characterize, and quantify biological processes at the cellular and subcellular levels. Molecular imaging techniques may make it possible to visualize breast cancer in earlier stages of disease before the appearance of structural breast lesions become apparent on conventional anatomic imaging. Emerging evidence confirms the utility of molecular imaging in the diagnosis and staging of patients with breast cancer, as well as with predicting and monitoring treatment. New radiotracers and imaging equipment may further enhance the molecular characterization of breast lesions, expanding its range of uses in clinical practice while accelerating the ongoing transition from universal to personal medicine.

Learning Objectives
After reading this article, the participant should be able to:

• EXPLAIN the rationale for functional molecular imaging in the setting of breast cancer.
• IDENTIFY the different breast-cancer staging and classification systems and their importance in treatment decision-making.
• COMPARE the indications for the use of gamma-camera imaging and positron emission tomography.
• APPRAISE the novel radiopharmaceuticals under development and their implications for improved patient assessment and management.

Categories: Mammography, nuclear medicine.

CE Information
In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 8 out of 10 questions correctly to receive the CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 1.0 ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board for MDCB credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit.

Texas direct credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.