Finite element thermal analysis of breast with tumor and its comparison with thermography

Abstract

A three-dimension comprehensive thermal model of breast is developed to understand the influence of the tumor on the surface temperature. Finite element analysis method is used to solve the heat diffusion equation. The simulated results show that the surface temperature distribution of the breast is directly related to the position and size of the tumor embedded in it. It is also found that our numerical results could capture the change in the position of tumor. Furthermore, the numerical results are compared with the thermography. Our study shows that the temperature distribution over breasts can be well simulated with this comprehensive thermal model, which seems to be a powerful adjuvant tool to help the clinician in the interpretation of thermograms.