Technology | December 30, 2013
Tool helps take subjectivity out of breast density assessment
December 30, 2013 — VuComp Inc. introduced M-Vu Breast Density, a tool for radiologists that provides automated assessment of breast density from a digital mammogram.
Clinical studies have shown that extensive breast density can make breast cancer detection in a mammogram more difficult and may also be associated with a higher cancer risk. Because of these issues, radiologists classify breast density using a four-level density scale established by the American College of Radiology (ACR) as part of its Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) standard. Patients who fall into one of the higher density categories may be recommended for additional screening exams. Legislation has been passed in 13 states requiring physicians to notify patients if their breast density is in one of the two higher categories.
VuComp’s M-Vu Breast Density uses computer vision algorithms to evaluate the appearance of structures and textures in the breast to differentiate between fatty and dense regions. The algorithms then calculate a percentage of breast area that is dense and convert it to one of four density categories corresponding to the BI-RADS standard.
“In contrast to the volumetric approach, we designed M-Vu Breast Density to analyze the appearance of fibroglandular tissue rather than simply the total amount of such tissue, in order to better help doctors assess the risk that a cancer may be hidden in a mammogram,” said Jeff Wehnes, president and CEO, VuComp.
M-Vu Breast Density is immediately available. It can be combined with VuComp’s computer-aided detection system, M-Vu CAD, to provide a set of analysis tools for mammography.
For more information: www.vucomp.com
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