Evaluation of EM absorption loss over breast mass for breast cancer diagnosis

Abstract

This paper presents electromagnetic (EM) absorption loss over breast mass as a new approach in the detection of breast cancer tumors. A linear curve of absorption loss over breast mass is used to establish acceptable normal absorption loss values. Since tumor-infected breast tissues should have higher absorption loss than normal breast tissues, the measured absorption loss of a tumor-infected breast will be higher than the established normal absorption loss value, and the breast will be diagnosed as infected. EM simulations of normal and infected breast tissues are run at 915, 2450, and 4000 MHz. Results show that 915 MHz presents the best linear curve fit and resolution. Also, the absorption loss for an infected breast, at 915 MHz, is higher than the absorption loss for a normal breast and is least affected by tumor location.

Evaluation of EM absorption loss for continuous monitoring of breast cancer

“…Table II show a very low tumor detection rate of 40% is obtained when the breast is illuminated with just one antenna. This is in contrast with the good detection rate obtained in [5] when the breast was illuminated with one antenna, as well. However, in [5], the simulated breast was a preliminary model and did not include other breast tissues, namely skin and fibro-glandular tissues, which cause considerable scattering of EM power.…”

“…This is in contrast with the good detection rate obtained in [5] when the breast was illuminated with one antenna, as well. However, in [5], the simulated breast was a preliminary model and did not include other breast tissues, namely skin and fibro-glandular tissues, which cause considerable scattering of EM power. To increase the coupling of EM power to the breast and minimize scattering from skin without the use of a coupling medium, 3-element and 5-element antenna arrays were directly placed on the breast skin.…”

“…Each antenna configuration is excited with an impedance matched lumped port source with a total input power of 2W. The ISM frequency, 915MHz, is used with all the antenna configurations since it was shown in [5] to be the frequency with the best penetration depth and detection of tumors. It should be noted that 915MHz is the desired operating frequency for breast thermotherapy treatment since tumors can be selectively heated compared to surrounding tissues at this frequency [8].…”

“…This paper builds on research in [5], in which a novel approach in the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer was presented. Briefly, the breast is illuminated by an antenna.…”