POSSIBILITIES OF DUAL-ENERGY CONTRAST SPECTRAL MAMMOGRAPHY IN COMPLEX RADIATION DIAGNOSIS OF BREAST CANCER: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Relevance: Contrast spectral mammography (CSM) is an innovative technology that combines the principles of traditional digital mammography with intravenous administration of an iodine-containing contrast agent. This makes it possible to obtain images reflecting angiogenesis and vascularization of pathological foci, which potentially increases the sensitivity and specificity of breast cancer (BC) diagnosis. BС occupies the first place in the structure of cancer morbidity and mortality from cancer among the female population worldwide and remains an urgent problem today. Despite promising research results, many aspects of the clinical application of CSM require further study. In particular, it is relevant to compare the diagnostic value of CSM with other radiation imaging meth-ods such as digital mammography (DM) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the mammary glands.

The study aimed to explore the diagnostic capacity of contrast spectral mammography in breast cancer detection compared to other radiation methods.

Methods: A search and selection of articles in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 2015 to 2025, devoted to the diagnosis of breast cancer. To write this review, 107 literary sources were found for all resources, of which 30 were included in the presented review.

Results: The results showed that CSM is easily performed and well tolerated by patients. The meth-od is superior to DM because it provides information about the presence of pathological neoangiogenesis of the tumor. Compared to MRI, CSM is similar in sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, CSM can be used as an alternative method of breast imaging due to its higher accessibility and usability in patients with contraindications for MRI.

Conclusion: CSM exceeds the capacity of conventional DM, regardless of breast density. As a result, this method can reduce the number of false positive results and limit the number of unwanted invasive interventions. Early detection of BC significantly increases the chances of successful treat-ment, reduces the risk of metastasis, and improves overall and disease-free survival.