Computer simulation in conjunction with medical thermography as an adjunct tool for early detection of breast cancer

• Published in: BMC cancer 2004-04, Vol.4 (1), p.17-17, Article 17
• Main Authors: Ng, Eddie Y-K, Sudharsan, N M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body Temperature; Breast; Breast Cancer; Breast Neoplasms - diagnosis; Computer Modelling; Computer Simulation; Early Diagnostic; False Negative Reactions; False Positive Reactions; Female; Humans; Mammography; Models, Anatomic; Thermography
• ISSN: 1471-2407; 1471-2407
• DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-4-17

Mathematical modelling and analysis is now accepted in the engineering design on par with experimental approaches. Computer simulations enable one to perform several 'what-if' analyses cost effectively. High speed computers and low cost of memory has helped in simulating large-scale models in a relatively shorter time frame. The possibility of extending numerical modelling in the area of breast cancer detection in conjunction with medical thermography is considered in this work. Thermography enables one to see the temperature pattern and look for abnormality. In a thermogram there is no radiation risk as it only captures the infrared radiation from the skin and is totally painless. But, a thermogram is only a test of physiology, whereas a mammogram is a test of anatomy. It is hoped that a thermogram along with numerical modelling will serve as an adjunct tool. Presently mammogram is the 'gold-standard' in breast cancer detection. But the interpretation of a mammogram is largely dependent on the radiologist. Therefore, a thermogram that looks into the physiological changes in combination with numerical simulation performing 'what-if' analysis could act as an adjunct tool to mammography. The proposed framework suggested that it could reduce the occurrence of false-negative/positive cases. A numerical bioheat model of a female breast is developed and simulated. The results are compared with experimental results. The possibility of this method as an early detection tool is discussed.