BSGI test at The Rose

Curlytop71

I'm scheduled to have a BSGI (Breast Specific Gamma Immaging) test at The Rose in Houston,TX. Has anyone had the test done? Do you have any comments about The Rose? I found them via web but it seem nobody in my area has heard about them... I'm about 5 hours away from Houston, but still. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

mtbmom

curly- I live just south of houston and go to Victory Breast Diagnostics.  I am taking a friend today for a biopsy there and plan on asking about the BSGI & MBI tests.  I'll let you know what I find out(Victory was one of the first in Houston with digital imaging).

Curlytop71

Thanks so much! Please let me know anything you find!

mtbmom

Curly- I asked the radiologist about the BSGI.  From what I gathered, it is a test using a radioactive dye used to detect early stage changes, similar to a PET scan.  She told me the only advantage over an MRI is that it's much less expensive, so having a BSGI over an MRI could be an insurance issue.  My radiologist said she considered getting that machine as well as the MRI, but she considers the MRI to be a little more accurate.  I searched this site's homepage for "Breast Specific Gamma Imaging" and came up with pretty much the same info (searching BSGI didn't produce results).  So, they both have a high rate of early findings (there is only like a <2% difference, with the MRI on the higher end), but the BSGI is easier on the pocketbook.  Also, it is important to note which the facility has a specialist at reading results- Victory's specialty is the digital MRI, and they are noted for early findings.  Feel free to PM me if you want more detailed info.  Good luck & hugs!!  Denise

Anonymous

the other difference (if I'm not mistaken) is that the BSGI involves exposure to radiation (similar to an xray or mammo) where an MRI does not involve any radiation exposure. (magnetic)

katoMato

Hello Curly, I had the BSGI test. It was over a year ago, but i remember reading (and hearing) that the BSGI was supposed to be the high and mighty new machine as far as technology went. Brand new, etc. The local hospital was only one of 30 in the nation that had one, etc. etc. The problem I read about, and later encountered is that the machine might be wonderful, but it's so new, that the techs aren't really skilled, or experienced enough to read what actually is going on in what they see. I had it done locally, and the tech I encountered seemed knowledgeable at the time. She showed me the screen (b/c I had already been diagnosed with bc - normally they dont let you see it.) and my first response was "wow - I can feel that second lump!" She said, "no, what you feel is...this." and pointed to a tiny dot within the two clusters (they look like tiny dots, similar to a stipple drawing. With the darkest being cancer, and everything else more faded colored.) I didn't argue with her, but when I ended up having treatment at a famous research hospital, they confirmed my "feelings" in that I had the two lumps that I clearly felt. I was surprised that the research hospital didn't have a BSGI, but they didn't seem to care much at all about it, thinking that the MRI, CAT, PET etc was all that was needed. Knowing what I know now, the machine was great, but the tech, while nice, wasn't as experienced as she could have been to accurately read the results.

The difference between the MRI and BSGI is that one shows the tissue, and the other shows the "architecture", but I can't remember which was which. 

My personal feeling on it was that it's probably a thing that will be used more as time goes on, because I could CLEARLY SEE (in the stipple dots) my tumor. There was no question. But, again, the tech wasn't reading it accurately.

The test was relatively painless. You receive a radioactive IV, then sit in a chair while they do a mammogram-type thing, pressing the breast between two plates, while the tech sits opposit you and looks at the computer screen. I think it took about 45 minutes, and all that time we were talking, and joking.

If you have any more questions, or want to to pm me, feel free. I'm here for you.

Curlytop71

Thanks so much to all for your responses! It does put my mind a little bit more at ease. What I have read about The Rose is that they are experts on both BSGI and bc, so I'm hoping to be going to a good place. I just received in the mail the intructions for the procedure and they are very clear and understandable. Also, I found their employees very aproachable and nice... so we'll see how everything goes. I'm relatively young (37) but bc runs in my family and my doctor saw something he didn't like, that's why I'm doing this procedure. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks so much for your suppor and time.

mtbmom

Curly- I'm told they are a very good facility!  When is your BSGI?  Best of luck to you!  Denise

Curlytop71

I'm scheduled for October 17... I'm a little bit nervous but confident... I'll keep you all posted! Thanks so much for your support!