# Xeromammography

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Xeroradiography for breast imaging

Medical intervention

Xeromammography ICD-9-CM 87.36 MeSH D014984 [edit on Wikidata]

**Xeromammography** is a [photoelectric](/source/Photoelectric) method of recording an [x-ray](/source/X-ray) image on a coated metal plate, using low-energy [photon](/source/Photon) beams, long [exposure time](/source/Shutter_speed), and dry [chemical developers](/source/Photographic_developer).

It is a form of [xeroradiography](/source/Xeroradiography).[1]

This process was developed in the late 1960s by Jerry Hedstrom. In 1966, Dr. John N. Wolfe presented extensive clinical data on the technique, which led the American College of Radiology to initiate advanced research and established xeromammography as a clinical standard by the early 1980s.[2]

The downsides to xeromammography included a higher radiation dose; clinical studies found the average absorbed dose to be approximately 4–5 mGy per image, which is roughly double the dose of modern digital mammography,[3] and the process required the use of blue toner powder which was prone to leaking, creating significant maintenance issues and a messy clinical environment.[4]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Xeromammography](https://meshb.nlm.nih.gov/record/ui?name=Xeromammography) at the U.S. National Library of Medicine [Medical Subject Headings](/source/Medical_Subject_Headings) (MeSH)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Kalaf, José Michel (2014). ["Mammography: a history of success and scientific enthusiasm"](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4337127/). *Radiologia Brasileira*. **47** (4): VII–VIII. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1590/0100-3984.2014.47.4e2](https://doi.org/10.1590%2F0100-3984.2014.47.4e2). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0100-3984](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0100-3984). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [4337127](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4337127). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [25741098](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25741098).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Zárand, P.; Péntek, Z. (February 1980). ["Absorbed dose in xeromammography"](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7370491). *The British Journal of Radiology*. **53** (626): 114–119. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1259/0007-1285-53-626-114](https://doi.org/10.1259%2F0007-1285-53-626-114). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0007-1285](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0007-1285). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [7370491](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7370491).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** TBRHSC (2026-03-06). ["Breast Cancer Screening Through the Decades"](https://tbrhsc.net/breast-cancer-screening-through-the-decades/). *tbrhsc.net*. Retrieved 2026-03-13.

## External links

- [A Demonstration of Xeromammography](http://radiographics.rsnajnls.org/cgi/reprint/9/1/153.pdf)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

- ["Xeromammography in the Early Detection of Breast Cancer"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1129910/)

- [JAMA - Xeromammography Abstract](http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/234/1/60)

- [Xeromammography's Lack of Efficacy](https://doi.org/10.1007%2FBF01806752)

- ["Comparison of Xeromammography and Film Mammography in the Diagnosis of Breast Lesions"](http://196.33.159.102/1975%20VOL%20XLIX%20Jul-Sep/Articles/08Aug/2.4%20COMPARISON%20OF%20XEROMAMMOGRAPHY%20AND%20FILM%20MAMMOGRAPHY%20IN%20THE%20DIAGNOSIS%20OF%20BREAST%20LESIONS.%20D.M.%20B.pdf)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

- [Efficacy of Combined Film-Screem/Xeromammography](http://www.ajronline.org/cgi/content/abstract/135/1/141)

- [Single View Negative Mode Xeromammography](http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/1/63)

v t e Tests and procedures involving the breast Breast surgery Breast-conserving surgery Lumpectomy Segmental resection Wide local excision Quadrantectomy Mastectomy Radical mastectomy Breast augmentation Trans-umbilical breast augmentation Mammaplasty Breast implant Breast reduction SPAIR Mastopexy Breast reconstruction Interventions on the Lactiferous ducts Ductal lavage Ductoscopy Microdochectomy Central duct excision Breast imaging Mammography Positron emission mammography Tomosynthesis Xeromammography Galactography Breast MRI Breast ultrasound Automated whole-breast ultrasound Scintimammography Elastography Other Breast biopsy Fine-needle aspiration Breast cancer screening Breast self-examination Ductal lavage Breast duct endoscopy

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Xeromammography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeromammography) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeromammography?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.