SonoCiné:
The Breast Exam Beyond Your Mammogram And Regular Ultrasound
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is SonoCiné?
How does SonoCiné (sound-movie)
work?
What is the difference between SonoCiné
and conventional ultrasound?
What is the difference between mammography
and SonoCiné?
Does SonoCiné replace mammography?
Who is a candidate for SonoCiné
Is there anyone who shouldn't consider having a
SonoCiné?
What are the benefits and advantages of
SonoCiné?
Are there any side effects?
What studies have been done on SonoCiné?
Where is SonoCiné available?
How can I get a SonoCiné exam?
How should I prepare for the exam?
What should I expect during the exam?
When will I get the results?
How much does a SonoCiné cost?
What type of payment is accepted?
Why and by whom was SonoCiné developed?
When was SonoCiné invented?
What is SonoCiné?
SonoCiné is an investigational computerized ultrasound process
able to detect small tumors hidden in dense
breast tissue that can be missed by your mammogram and conventional
ultrasound. A SonoCiné exam uses state-of-the-art breast ultrasound
images-not x-rays--and there is no painful breast compression. The
test takes about 30 minutes. It
increases your chances for early breast cancer detection.
How does SonoCiné (sound-movie) work?
A mechanical ``arm'' uniformly guides an ultrasound scanner over both
breasts, gathering 2,000 to 5,000 evenly spaced
permanent
images of thin slices
of breast tissue. These images are transferred to a computer and linked
together so that they may be viewed in rapid succession like a movie in
both two and three dimensions.
What is the difference between SonoCiné
and conventional ultrasound?
Although a positive tool, a regular ultrasound exam produces less than
30 permanent images of the breast. SonoCiné produces from 2,000
to 5,000
permanent
images so the chance of cancer detection is greater. To further
ensure that every centimeter of breast tissue is examined, the SonoCiné
scanner is computer-guided over each breast in uniform, overlapping
rows that produce no gaps in between the resulting individual pictures.
The scanner's speed is also computer-controlled so that even though
it moves up and down the breast, it is always moving at the same speed.
This also ensures a uniform set of images that starkly highlight any
break or change in tissue pattern-the sign of a possible cancer.
Finally, unlike with traditional ultrasound, the computer images produced
during a SonoCiné exam can be adjusted for speed, size, brightness
and contrast.
What is the difference between mammography
and SonoCiné?
Mammograms save tens of thousands of lives each year, however each mammogram
consists of only four static X-ray images, each one taken through the
entire thickness of the breast. As a result, small tumors may be obscured
within the layers of adjacent normal breast tissue. In contrast, a SonoCiné
breast exam captures 2,000 to 5,000 images of thin slices of tissue and
links them together so that they may be viewed like a movie. This makes
it easier for the radiologist to see the disruption in tissue patterns
caused by cancer. These anomalies may be
obscured by overlapping tissue in composite mammographic images.
Does SonoCiné replace mammography?
No. SonoCiné is a complement to-not a replacement for-annual screening
mammograms. This is because SonoCiné excels at finding cancers
in dense
breast tissue and has been shown to detect some of these cancers before
they can be found through self-examination or mammogram. However, only
a mammogram can detect certain other cancers (namely small, calcified
noninvasive or minimally invasive cancers) and mammograms are better at
recognizing cancers in fatty tissue. Also,
ability to detect cancer is diminished in breasts larger than a double-D
cup bra size.
Who is a candidate for SonoCiné?
Women who are at high risk of breast cancer (family history of breast
cancer or a previous breast biopsy showing pre-cancer or cancer)
Women who:
- Have a family history of breast cancer or a previous breast biopsy
showing pre-cancer or cancer.
- Have dense
breast tissue.
- Have breast implants.
- Have lumpy breasts (fibrocystic breasts).
- Are nursing or pregnant
with breast problems.
Is there anyone who shouldn't consider having
a SonoCiné breast exam?
SonoCiné is less effective in breasts that are fatty or large (greater
than a double-D cup) because ultrasound is better at
recognizing cancers in dense rather than in fatty breasts. With mammography,
the opposite is true.
What are the benefits and advantages of SonoCiné?
SonoCiné may detect cancers missed by mammograms and may find
other cancers sooner. When combined with mammography, SonoCiné may
reduce radical and invasive cancer treatments and increase cancer survival
rates because of early detection. Also, SonoCiné uses breast
ultrasound imaging instead of X-rays.
Finally, SonoCiné is painless; it does not require breast
compression.
Are there any side effects?
No. SonoCiné uses ultrasound energy (high
frequency vibrations), which has been used for decades to evaluate fetuses
in expectant mothers.
What studies have been done on SonoCiné?
The first clinical study of SonoCiné and mammography completed
in early 2001, involved 496 women with high-risk factors. Twenty cancers
were found. SonoCiné detected 18 of these breast cancers and
mammography detected 15. Since this first study, SonoCiné has
discovered 7 additional cancers missed by physical exam and/or mammography.
Further substantiation of the process is
currently being tested in an FDA-sanctioned,
multi-center clinical trial.
Where is SonoCiné available?
At present, SonoCiné is available only
at the Hill Breast Center in Pasadena, California.
How can I get a SonoCiné breast exam?
SonoCiné is used in conjunction with physical breast examination
and mammography and therefore is usually suggested by your physician or
gynecologist. However, anyone may contact the Hill
Breast Center directly for a SonoCiné exam. We
also have a list of physicians
who use SonoCiné in their practice.
How should I prepare for the exam?
No particular preparation is necessary, other
than wearing clothing that will allow you to easily disrobe above the
waist.
What should I expect during the exam?
Just before the exam, you'll be fitted with a snug camisole that will
then be saturated with a warm liquid gel. The camisole holds the breasts
in place and the gel conducts vibrations from the ultrasound scanner.
The gel is easily removed at the end of the exam with a damp cloth.
During the exam, we'll ask you to lie on a padded table and place a
pillow under your lower back. As you relax with one arm over your head,
the sonographer (ultrasound technologist) will guide an ultrasound
scanner over each breast in rows from the collarbone to the base of
the breast. Pressure from the scanner is not uncomfortable, although
there may be slight discomfort if you have tender, fibrous breasts.
You may
also talk throughout the procedure if you
wish to ask any questions.
When will I get the results?
Your radiologist will review your SonoCiné
the day of the exam and will usually call you that afternoon or evening.
However, if you are part of the current FDA Study, you will receive your
results in 2 to 3 days because of certain study requirements. Your final
results will be mailed to you and your physician within two to three days
of your exam.
How much does a SonoCiné cost?
Generally, SonoCiné costs $300.
What type of payment is accepted?
Because SonoCiné is still a new investigational breast cancer detection
process, it is not yet covered by any public or private insurance. Therefore,
each person having the exam will be responsible for the charge, which
may be paid by check or credit card.
Why and by whom was SonoCiné developed?
SonoCiné was invented by Kevin M. Kelly, M.D., who found
it discouraging to see women find cancerous lumps shortly after their
annual mammograms. Dr. Kelly is a diagnostic radiologist specializing
in breast disease with more than 25 years experience in mammography. He
is Director of Breast Imaging at Huntington Memorial Hospital and Hill
Breast Center in Pasadena, California.
When was SonoCiné invented?
The first SonoCiné exam was performed on April 12, 2000.
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