Portable, parallel 9-wavelength near-infrared spectral tomography (NIRST) system for efficient characterization of breast cancer within the clinical oncology infusion suite.

Yan Zhao,Keith D Paulsen,Roberta M Diflorio-Alexander,Jiang Gui,Shudong Jiang,Brian W Pogue,Steffen J Haider

doi:10.1364/boe.7.002186

Abstract

A portable near-infrared spectral tomography (NIRST) system was developed with simultaneous frequency domain (FD) and continuous-wave (CW) optical measurements for efficient characterization of breast cancer in a clinical oncology setting. Simultaneous FD and CW recordings were implemented to speed up acquisition to 3 minutes for all 9 wavelengths, spanning a range from 661nm to 1064nm. An adjustable interface was designed to fit various breast sizes and shapes. Spatial images of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin, water, lipid, and scattering components were reconstructed using a 2D FEM approach. The system was tested on a group of 10 normal subjects, who were examined bilaterally and the recovered optical images were compared to radiographic breast density. Significantly higher total hemoglobin and water were estimated in the high density relative to low density groups. One patient with invasive ductal carcinoma was also examined and the cancer region was characterized as having a contrast ratio of 1.4 in total hemoglobin and 1.2 in water.

Highlights

Breast cancer is a complex disease that presents challenges for both detection and treatment
The results reported here are consistent with several other studies of asymptomatic breast tissue [38, 40, 41], which indicate that optical and physiological parameters are significantly affected by biological factors such as age, menopausal status, hormone use, and body mass index (BMI)
A portable frequency domain (FD) + CW Near infrared spectroscopy and spectral tomography (NIRST) system has been developed for quantifying changes in total hemoglobin, oxygen saturation, water, lipid content, scattering amplitude and scattering power in the breast during neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer is a complex disease that presents challenges for both detection and treatment. Dynamic contrastenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) are more successful and have been used by several groups to quantify changes in breast tumors during treatment [3,4,5]. Both MRI and PET require injection of contrast agents, and the cost of these procedures can be prohibitive. NIRST offers potential advantages over other imaging candidates because of its noninvasive nature, relatively low cost and portable size, which makes possible repeated imaging procedures under various patient conditions. A mobile system design is presented which images the breast with 9 wavelengths in a few minutes allowing the unit to be used in a clinical oncology infusion suite

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Discussion

Conclusion