In recent decades, technology has been moving forward at the speed of light. The advancement of medical imaging has been incredible. Many invasive treatments are being replaced with computerized medical imaging which is not only more convenient for the patient, but gives the doctor the ability to get a better understanding of what is happening inside the patient's body.

Some of the most important advancements are those that are able to detect cancer early. The earlier a cancer is detected, the more likely it will respond to treatment. In 2009, an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer will likely be diagnosed among women in the United States. Early breast cancer detection, therefore, can potentially save thousands of lives. Early breast cancer detection is now easier with the use of thermal mammography.

Thermal mammography is a technique that should not necessarily replace regular mammograms, but provides an alternative or a compliment to regular testing.  Cancer cells have different features than healthy cells. When a cancerous tumor forms, it creates its own blood supply which allows it to feed the accelerated growth. This process is called malignant angiogenesis. Pre-cancerous tissues experience this process as well. Since blood vessel and chemical activity in the body is higher than normal in areas where a cancer exists, that area gives off a lot more heat than healthy tissue. Thermal mammography uses infrared cameras to search this elevated heat level and create a footprint of it on a computer screen.

There are several advantages to using thermal medical imaging. For one, women with dense breasts may not get optimal results from a mammogram, and a cancer could be missed. Thermal medical imaging will assist these women with getting a better internal picture for early breast cancer detection.  

Women who are pregnant and nursing, and/or wish to avoid radiation can use thermal mammography as well. It's also an alternative for women who have had cosmetic surgery, including reconstructive surgery or implants, because unlike a regular mammogram, the procedure is non-invasive and does not require pressure against the breasts.

When a picture is created with this type of imaging,(known as a thermogram) the technician looks to find areas of asymmetry. Baseline scans can be done and kept in the patients records. As the patient returns over the course of several years, new images will be taken and can be compared to previous infrared photographs in the patient record.  At this time the health care provider will look for changes, or differences from the baseline and photos that were saved from previous visits. Areas of increased heat change can be easily detected and may be a signal that a cancer is present. Ultimately, thermal mammography does not produce a diagnosis; what it does is signal to the practitioner that further testing of the cells in the form of a biopsy may be required. The biopsy will give the formal results regarding whether or not an actual cancer is present. This type of medical imaging is an important advancement in the screening of patients for breast cancer and early detection using this process could save lives.

By Ms. Turetzky

Ms. Turetzky is an IT specialist in the field of health care and pharmaceuticals. 

References:

Grout, Martha M. M.D., M.D.(H), "Thermography for Breast Cancer Screening." http://www.arizonaadvancedmedicine.com/articles/thermography.html (June 3, 2009)

American Cancer Society, "What Are the Key Statistics for Breast Cancer?" http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_1x_what_are_the_key_statistics_for_breast_cancer_5.asp(May 13, 2009)