Molecular breast imaging is a specialized nuclear medicine technique that uses intravenous injection of a radioactive material known as Technetium-99m-Sestamibi. This short-lived radioactive material accumulates in cancer cells more than normal cells, allowing visualization of potential tumors. Unlike mammography or ultrasound, MBI does not focus on breast structure or anatomy but instead reveals functional behavior of breast tissue where areas of rapid cell division may indicate cancer.
Superior Diagnostic Performance for Dense Breasts
For women with dense breasts, mammography faces limitations due to reduced sensitivity caused by overlapping fibroglandular tissue. MBI, however, demonstrates superior diagnostic performance in detecting breast cancers in women with dense breast tissue, significantly improving overall cancer detection rates. Research indicates that MBI detects additional cancers compared to mammography alone, particularly in women with dense breasts.