Comparative analysis of high resolution synchrotron radiation images of fibrocystic change and breast cancer.

Abstract

Abstract Abstract #4009 Background: Synchrotron radiation imaging enables us to observe detailed microscopic structures of a biologic sample without staining. If synchrotron imaging can reveal microstructures of breast tissues with various pathologic conditions effectively, this may be used for clinical purposes related to diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases. We attempted to get high resolution x-ray microscopic images of human breast tissues of fibrocystic change and breast cancer using zone plates and phase contrast technique, and compared distinctive features of breast tissues of these conditions seen in synchrotron images.
 Material and Methods: X-ray microscopic images were obtained from the Beam line 1B2 of Pohang Light Source, the third generation synchrotron radiation facility with operating energy of 2.5 GeV at Pohang, South Korea. The x-ray was set at 11.1 KeV, and the beam was monochromatized by W/B4C monochromator. The condenser and microscopic objective zone plates were used as x-ray lenses. Formalin-fixed 10 μm thick human breast tissues were attached on Kapton film, and positioned 25 m away from the beam source. Zernike phase plate next to the condenser zone plate was applied for phase contrast imaging. The magnified x-ray image was converted into a visual image on the CsI(TI) scintillation crystal and captured by a full frame CCD camera. The obtained synchrotron images of fibrocystic change and breast cancer tissues were analyzed and compared to one another.
 Results: High resolution x-ray microscopic images of fibrocystic change and breast cancer tissues with a spatial resolution of 60 nm were obtained. The synchrotron images of fibrocystic change showed a harmonious framework of breast tissues with profuse glandular structures and various collagen strands. However, the synchrotron images of breast cancer tissues revealed altered breast parenchyma with architectural distortion and extensive fibrosis. The collagen strands were thickened, interrupted and irregularly oriented. The glandular elements and ductal structures were atrophic or lost.
 Discussion: The synchrotron images of breast cancer reveal severe alteration of breast parenchyma, collagen strands and glandular structures, compared to those of fibrocystic change. These changes are important features of breast cancer seen in high resolution synchrotron images. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 4009.