Siemens Medical Solutions () introduces the latest innovations to its breast care portfolio, designed to help detect, diagnose and treat breast cancer earlier, faster, and with greater precision, at the 93rd Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) from Nov. 25 to 30 at McCormick Place (Booth #7713, Hall B). As the world's first full-service diagnostics company, Siemens is showcasing its unique capabilities to provide solutions that address each step of breast care.

"Siemens continues to raise the bar for innovation by offering a comprehensive range of breast care solutions, as evidenced by the leading-edge technologies on display at this year's RSNA," said Erich R. Reinhardt, Ph.D., member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and president and CEO of Siemens Medical Solutions. "Siemens is enabling facilities to provide quality care tailored to the individual patient's needs and optimize productivity, workflow, and, ultimately, financial performance."

By combining advanced imaging, laboratory diagnostics, and information technologies, Siemens helps physicians not only detect, diagnose and treat breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages, but also provides them with comprehensive after-care solutions. This holistic approach enables shorter exams, streamlined workflow, and improved patient outcomes. With the movement toward a multimodality approach to breast care, imaging technologies such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are playing an increasing role in all stages of breast care. At RSNA, Siemens is showcasing its latest advancements in breast ultrasound and MRI, as well as the next generation of digital mammography systems and immunodiagnostic testing.

Digital Mammography Simplified: MAMMOMAT Novation S

Introducing MAMMOMAT(R) Novation S, a cost-effective solution for facilities that are making the transition to digital breast imaging but do not have the need for the advanced functionality of state-of-the-art systems. The MAMMOMAT Novation S optimizes workflow, utilizes the latest full-field amorphous Selenium (aSe) detectors and features Tungsten/Rhodium (W/Rh) X-ray technology, which reduces dose.

Ultrasound Technology Helping to Reduce Biopsies and Image Dense Breasts

Siemens' breakthrough breast ultrasound technology, eSie Touch(TM) elasticity imaging, has shown promise in reducing reliance on invasive breast biopsy procedures. According to published research as many as 80 percent of biopsied breast lesions are found to be benign. Elasticity imaging measures the mechanical properties of tissue providing additional information for enhanced diagnostic decision-making. Clinical studies indicate that elasticity imaging has the potential to increase specificity in the evaluation and determination of focal breast lesions. Elasticity imaging has recently been recognized as the "Best New Product of the Year" by the Stevie Awards for Women in Business -- an international competition recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding business women as well as products, services and innovations introduced to the marketplace by or for women.

In addition, the U-Systems SomoVu(TM) Automated Breast Ultrasound System* provides a fast, cost-effective, patient-friendly solution, especially when it comes to overcoming the challenges posed in imaging and screening of dense breast tissue. Unlike conventional ultrasound acquisition techniques where the user moves a transducer over the breast, automated breast scanning (ABS) technology is a single-sweep, automated acquisition technique that produces standardized, reproducible three-dimensional ultrasound images for improved diagnostic confidence.

Advances in MRI Breast Spectroscopy

A recent study published in Radiology found that proton MRI spectroscopy may eliminate 68 percent of biopsies for benign non-mass breast lesions found on standard MRI exams without missing any cancers++.

Siemens' solution for quantitative breast MRI breast spectroscopy, syngo(R) GRACE, allows physicians to obtain essential metabolic information about the biochemical composition of breast lesions. This additional information helps physicians better distinguish between malignant and benign lesions to potentially reduce the risk of unnecessary breast biopsies. Using choline as a biomarker, syngo GRACE provides improved differential diagnosis and enhanced confidence in therapy monitoring.

Advances in Immunodiagnostics

New advances in immunodiagnostics have led to the development of an in-vitro biomarker that may help physicians determine whether a metastatic breast cancer patient is responding to treatment. This biomarker, HER-2/neu, measures levels of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2, a protein that plays a pivotal role in the growth of some breast cancer cells. Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics' Serum HER-2/neu test is the first and only FDA-cleared blood test for measuring circulating levels of the HER-2/neu protein in the monitoring of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Over the course of disease, monitoring HER-2/neu levels yields important information about response to therapy, and may help physicians make more informed decisions when developing and modifying patient treatment regimens.

Molecular Imaging Technologies

Molecular imaging technologies play a central role in the characterization of masses found in the breast and have therefore had a major impact on the initial diagnosis, staging and follow-up care for breast cancer patients. Diagnostic SPECT-CT using Siemens Symbia TruePoint(TM) SPECT-CT imaging systems combines anatomical clarity obtained from CT with functional imaging using SPECT lymphoscintigraphy for accurate localization of sentinel nodes. This information is then used for biopsy to evaluate for nodal metastases.

The Biograph(TM) TruePoint PET.CT provides high quality images of 18F-FDG tracer, which shows a high sensitivity for the localization of distant metastases due to the high glucose affinity of proliferating tumor cells. This has made PET.CT a standard of care for breast cancer staging. Molecular imaging technologies can assist physicians in making more accurate assessments of indeterminate breast lumps, which can have an impact on therapeutic decisions.

* U-Systems, Inc. SomoVu(TM) Automated Breast Ultrasound System, distributed by Siemens

++ Bartella L, et al "Enhancing Nonmass Lesions in the Breast: Evaluation with Proton 1(H) MR Spectroscopy" Radiology 2007; 245: 80-87.

About Siemens Medical Solutions

Siemens Medical Solutions is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Medical Solutions will be the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. The company delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care -- from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Siemens Medical Solutions employs more than 48,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (until Sept. 30th), Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of euro 9,85 billion, orders of euro 10,27 billion, and group profit of euro 1,32 billion (preliminary figures, unaudited). Further information can be found by visiting