Optical Transillumination Spectroscopy of Breast Tissue to Determine the Cancer Risk in Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women

Abstract

Abstract : Cancer risk assessment is becoming an important tool in determining an individual's screening and surveillance needs in order to maximize the probability of early cancer detection, or to initiate interventions. We investigated the use of optical transillumination spectroscopy as a physical measurement to quantify breast cancer risk, using breast tissue density resulting form standard mammography as comparator. By using only non-ionizing radiation, optical transillumination spectroscopy can be applied to women of all ages and frequently. Here, we established the sensitivity and specificity of identifying the parenchymal tissue density in women without radiological lesions, as an indirect measure of breast cancer risk. Parenchymal density pattern and optical transillumination spectroscopy quantifies physical parameters of the breast. Using visible/near infrared light the tissue chromophore compositions and morphology is interrogated. We measured spectra for 4 quadrants in each breast and using principle component analysis were able to achieve a sensitivity and specificity of > 0.97 each, demonstrating that optical transillumination will provide at least the same odds ratio for breast cancer risk as mammographic densities. Future work will focus on establishing a direct link with risk, so as to determine the true odds ration towards breast cancer, and on the feasibility to monitor risk changes in individuals undergoing intervention strategies.