By Dr Indu Ambulkar
Breast disease, the most common form of cancer affecting women, can occur when there is an abnormal growth of cells in either breast that accumulates and forms a lump or mass. Hormonal, lifestyle and environmental factors are some of the major risk factors for breast cancer. This can also be hereditary and passed down from generation to generation due to some complex interaction of a person’s genetic makeup with the environment. While this usually starts in the milk-producing ducts, it can spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body if it is not detected and treated early. In fact, when detected early, most breast cancers can be completely cured and any relapses can be prevented.
Also, early diagnosis significantly improves prognosis and reduces mortality due to breast cancer in the long term. The less time it takes to identify it, the more likely it is to be cured. In recent times, technological advancements have made great strides in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Here’s how technology is making early detection of breast cancer easier and more convenient, enabling oncologists to save lives.
Tech enabled diagnostic techniques to detect early stage breast cancer
Advances in Mammography: While mammography is the most common technique for detecting tumors in the breasts using low doses of X-rays, technological advances such as tomosynthesis and digital mammography have made the procedure more precise, accurate, and enable the detection of tumors in deeper, overlapping layers of tissue.
Tomosynthesis Also known as three-dimensional (3-D) mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an advanced form of breast imaging or mammography that creates a three-dimensional image of the breasts using a low-dose X-ray system and computer reconstruction.
Digital mammography Film provides better quality images in a shorter period of time compared to mammography. Digital mammography can be of two types – contrast enhanced digital mammography and computer assisted digital mammography. This provides integration, processing and display of discrete images over a wide range of resolution and density in dense breasts with minimal noise during image acquisition. It prevents patients from being exposed to unnecessary radiation and helps patients avoid uncomfortable tests for processing images.
Contrast enhanced digital mammography There is a more advanced form of digital mammography that uses two unique techniques – temporal subtraction technique, and bifold-energy techniques, which offer the benefit of breast imaging with better sensitivity and precision.
Computer Aided Detection (CAD) Uses computer technology along with mammography or MRI techniques to identify structural changes, masses, etc. It empowers traditional technology with the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and helps detect subtle calcified tissues with ease.
2D FDTD Analysis: A 2-dimensional finite difference time domain technique uses electromagnetic radiation for computational analysis of tumors and effectively detects tumors with a width of 2 mm or smaller within a host of normal breast tissue, which may otherwise be missed and remain undetected. Also, it is comparatively safer and more comfortable than conventional mammography as it requires examination of only one side of the breast and does not require exposure to ionizing radiation.
Radionuclide Methods: These methods used in positron emission tomography (PET), scintimammography, positron emission mammography (PEM) and breast specific gamma imaging (BSGI) provide enhanced specificity and contrast between tumor and normal breast cancer tissue. It enables cancer stage detection and improved treatment responses.
Nanoparticles: Specificity in breast cancer imaging can be significantly enhanced by using biocompatible and active nanoparticles as contrast agents. These are highly beneficial diagnostic agents because they have increased blood retention time, large surface area or different ligand interactions that can be used in the diagnosis of breast cancer.
Breath biopsy enabling non-invasive collection and analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and exhaled breath, providing valuable information about disease processes occurring in the body from an early stage; Mammogram, a medical diagnostic procedure to look at and collect cells, epithelial cells and other internal features of the milk ducts, mammogram, MRI or ultrasound are some of the advanced early detection methods of breast cancer that can avoid mammogram. The future of precision cancer care. Some other emerging technology enabled breast cancer diagnosis methods include hair X-ray diffraction, HER 2 treatment, magnetic resonance elastography, optical imaging.
Premature detection of breast cancer is a major challenge in our country leading to poor prognosis due to inadequate diagnostic methods. The scope of recovery is minimal when breast cancer is diagnosed in stage III, which is otherwise highly curable if detected early. Advanced diagnostic techniques driven by this technology are very promising and can play an important role in early detection of breast cancer. Consult a doctor or specialist to know more about this technological advancement.
Dr. Indu Ambulkar, Senior Medical Oncologist at HCG Cancer Centre, Borivli (W), Mumbai
(Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely those of the author and not necessarily subscribed to by ETHealthworld. ETHealthworld.com shall not be responsible for any loss caused to any person/organization directly or indirectly.)
