The Transformative Power of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis and Artificial Intelligence in Breast Cancer Diagnosis.

Abstract

The integration of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents a significant advance in breast cancer screening. This combination aims to address several challenges inherent in traditional screening while promising an improvement in healthcare delivery across multiple dimensions. For patients, this technological synergy has the potential to lower the number of unnecessary recalls and associated procedures such as biopsies, thereby reducing patient anxiety and improving overall experience without compromising diagnostic accuracy. For radiologists, the use of combined AI and DBT could significantly decrease workload and reduce fatigue by effectively highlighting breast imaging abnormalities, which is especially beneficial in high-volume clinical settings. Health systems stand to gain from streamlined workflows and the facilitated deployment of DBT, which is particularly valuable in areas with a scarcity of specialized breast radiologists. However, despite these potential benefits, substantial challenges remain. Bridging the gap between the development of complex AI algorithms and implementation into clinical practice requires ongoing research and development. This is essential to optimize the reliability of these systems and ensure they are accessible to healthcare providers and patients, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of this technological advancement. This article reviews the benefits of combined AI-DBT imaging, particularly the ability of AI to enhance the benefits of DBT and reduce its existing limitations.