A technique that uses ultrashort pulses of laser light to detect breast cancer tumors could transform treatment of the disease into a one-time outpatient procedure.

Researchers from the City University of New York predict that their optical mammography technique-perhaps a decade away from doctors' offices-will be able to find much smaller tumors than is currently possible without the radiation risk associated with X-rays.

"This new technique, when perfected, could revolutionize breast cancer treatment," said Dr. Phillip D. Bretz, director of the Desert Breast Institute in Rancho Mirage, Calif.