Elastography for faster detection of breast cancer in 3D photoacoustic mammography

Tumour formation is characterized by the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). Breast cancer can be detected by recognizing angiogenesis among the bulk of healthy blood vessels. Painless 3D-PAUS mammography, which stands for “3-dimensional photoacoustic ultrasound” mammography, is a completely new method that can visualize the blood vessels in the breast. However, it appears to be difficult for radiologists to recognize (early) angiogenesis by visual inspection of the blood vessel system alone. To accelerate this recognition of angiogenesis, PA Imaging, Insyte Technology, University Twente, and Radboud University Medical Center are collaborating within this project to expand an existing 3D-PAUS mammography system (PAM3+) with elastography.

Elastography involves controlled, minimal vibration of the breast. This is painless. Because tumour tissue is harder and firmer than the surrounding tissue, when the breast vibrates, the blood vessels surrounding the stiff tumour will move slightly differently than the surrounding healthy tissue. This subtle difference in movement can be visualized as a stroboscopic effect using the same laser light flashes used in photoacoustic mammography. Making the difference in tissue stiffness visible in this stroboscopic way helps the radiologist more easily recognize angiogenesis among the otherwise healthy blood vessels. In addition to elastography, artificial intelligence will be developed to recognize angiogenesis among healthy blood vessels. This innovation and this project directly address the need for better, more efficient, and, above all, more women-friendly breast cancer detection.”