Dose comparison of mammography with two photographic modes / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To compare radiation dose between digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and full-field digital mammography (FFDM), and explore the correlation of average glandular dose(AGD) with breast density and compression thickness.Methods:The mammographic data of patients with breast diseases who underwent digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and the population who underwent full-field digital mammography (FFDM) screening in the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from October 2020 to May 2022 were retrospectively collected. The compression thickness, compression force and AGD were recorded. According to the 2013 ACR BI-RADS MAMMOGRAPHY, the breast gland density was classified into 4 types: a(glandular tissue<25%), b(glandular tissue 25%~50%), c(glandular tissue 50%~75%) and d(glandular tissue >75%), by two senior doctors engaged in breast imaging diagnosis. The relationships between different gland densities, different compression thicknesses and AGD under FFDM and DBT mode were analyzed.Results:In both FFDM and DBT modes, the AGD increased significantly with the increase of breast density( F=861.63, 617.83, 330.33, 451.45, 290.47, P<0.001), and AGD a<AGD b<AGD c<AGD d. For type c and d breasts undergoing FFDM, AGD was lowest when the compression thickness was 31~40 mm. Under the same compression thickness, The AGD DBT was significantly higher than the AGD FFDMin all types (Type a: t=-17.88, -42.19, -29.90, -28.14, -24.95, P<0.001; Type b: t=-49.18, -35.94, -27.25, -28.37, -24.10, P<0.001; Type c: t=-11.78, -32.90, -23.13, -20.51, -18.24, P<0.001; Type d: t=-7.94, -26.24, -17.24, -15.44, -13.81, P<0.001). The difference between two AGDs of Type d with compression thickness of 61~70 mm was the largest, which was 1.07 mGy (95% CI: 0.92~1.22). The AGD was positively correlated with breast density and compression thickness, and the relationship of FFDM was stronger than that of DBT. Conclusions:The AGD is positively correlated with breast density and compression thickness in mammography. Compared with FFDM, DBT can increase AGD, The AGD would increase in DBT than FFDM but be safe. DBT would be beneficial to patients with breast diseases in clinical practice.

A preliminary survey of female breast characteristics based on three-dimensional images of breast cone-beam computed tomography / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To establish a method to characterize the size and density of the female breast based on three-dimensional images of breast cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and describe the breast characteristics of women in a region of China, and to explore its value in dosimetric assessment for breast CBCT examinees. Methods We retrospectively surveyed the breast CBCT images of 203 women in a grade A tertiary hospital in a southwestern city of China from January 2021 to March 2023. The effective diameter of the breast at the chest-wall (Deff), chest wall-to-nipple length (CNL), the effective diameter of the breast at half of CNL (Dh/2), breast volume (BV), glandular volume (GV), and volumetric breast density (VBD) were measured using the specific tools of the Koning Imaging Viewer system. The differences between groups were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The correlation between variables was assessed using the Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results The median values of Deff, Dh/2, CNL, BV, GV, and VBD of the surveyed population were 11.9 cm, 8.3 cm, 6.5 cm, 327.7 cm3, 47.0 cm3, and 15.4%, respectively. GV and VBD had significant negative correlations with age. Deff, Dh/2, CNL, and BV were significantly negatively correlated with VBD. Conclusion We established a quantitative method to analyze female breast characteristics based on three-dimensional breast CBCT images, and preliminarily characterized the female breast in a region of China, which can provide methodological support for the investigation of female breast characteristics in various regions of China in the future.

Association of polycystic ovary syndrome with mammographic density in Turkish women: a population-based case-control study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the breast densities and Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System scores of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and normoovulatory women and to determine whether these patients constitute a high-risk population for breast cancer. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study was conducted at our institution between January 2022 and December 2022, involving patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. Menstrual periods, hyperandrogenemic findings, and ultrasound reports of the patients were retrieved from our hospital's database. Patients who met at least two of the Rotterdam criteria were included in the polycystic ovary syndrome group. A total of 70 premenopausal patients over the age of 40 years, diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, and 70 normoovulatory women, matched for age and body mass index, were included in the study. The two groups were compared regarding age at menarche, menstrual pattern, gravida, parity, levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol, endometrial thickness, breast density category, and Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System classifications. RESULTS: Patients in the polycystic ovary syndrome group had a higher age at menarche (12.7 vs. 12.3, p=0.006). There was no difference between the gonadotropin levels in both groups. However, the estradiol level was higher in the polycystic ovary syndrome group (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of breast density and Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System scores (p=0.319 and p=0.650, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although we can conclude that the risk of breast malignancy is not increased in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, the impact of the complex hormonal status of polycystic ovary syndrome on breast cancer remains unclear in the literature.

Preliminary imaging study on the distribution of female Volumetric Breast Density / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To describe the distribution of volumetric breast density(VBD) in different ages of Chinese women based on X-ray mammograms.Methods:Based on mammographic images of 1 140 patients from January 2010 to December 2016 in a hospital in Beijing, the VBD of women was assessed by Volpara 1.5.1 and graded according to breast imaging reporting and data system published by American College of Radiology. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median age, and the two independent samples t-test was used to compare them. The patients were also divided into four groups according to age ( <40 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years, ≥ 60 years), and the breast thickness, breast volume, glandular volume, and VBD were compared using a One-way ANOVA analysis. Results:The median age was 50 years. The compressed breast thickness and breast volume in patients over 50 years were significantly higher than those in patients below 50 years ( t= -8.99, -7.92, P<0.001), while glandular volume and VBD were significantly lower than those below 50 years ( t= 8.11, 18.49, P<0.001). The compressed breast thickness, breast volume, glandular volume, and VBD were statistically significant different among four groups ( F=27.10, 22.34, 25.70, 122.03, P<0.001). Patients over 60 years had the lowest VBD ( t=-12.56, -15.27, -4.57, P<0.001). VBD was negatively correlated with ages ( r=0.47, P<0.001). Conclusions:The compressed breast thickness and breast volume increased with ages, while the glandular volume and VBD decreased with ages.

Study on the correlation between radiation dose and breast compression thickness and density in full-field digital mammography combined with digital breast tomosynthesis / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To compare and analyze the relationship between average glandular dose (AGD) and breast density and compression thickness in digital breast tomosynthesis(DBT)/full-field digital mammography(FFDM), and to explore the optimal selection and application of imaging parameters for different types of breast (thickness and density) in specific situations.Methods:The clinical data of 229 cases of breast Combo (DBT+ FFDM) were retrospectively analyzed. The compression thickness, AGD, kVp and type of quantified breast density (Q_abd) of CC and MLO view were collected respectively. The relationship between the AGD and the breast compression thickness and Q_abd density classification was analyzed.Results:There was a positive correlation between AGD and compression thickness (CC: r =0.55, 0.53, P< 0.001; MLO: r =0.62, 0.48, P< 0.001) and breast density(CC: r =0.36, 0.39, P< 0.001; MLO: r =0.16, 0.30, P < 0.001) in DBT/FFDM. The difference between groups for AGD was little in CC of DBT, but significant in CC of FFDM(groups by thickness, CC: F =35.29, 31.32, P<0.005; MLO: F =44.83, 27.02, P<0.005; groups by Q_abd, CC: F =18.68, 19.76, P<0.005, MLO: F=4.58, 10.52, P<0.005); the breast Q_abd was inversely proportion to the mean compression thickness (CC: F =16.28, P<0.005; MLO: F =17.81, P<0.005). At the same time, the interaction effect on AGD between the breast density and thickness was considered, and only for the MLO in FFDM mode they had an interaction on AGD ( F =3.16, P =0.005). Conclusions:The cumulative dose of DBT and FFDM may increase the radiation risk. Single-view CC/MLO-DBT or CC/MLO-(DBT+ FFDM)+ single-view MLO/CC-FFDM mode is preferred for mammography, which plays a positive role in radiation risk reduction.

Impak Densiti Payudara dalam Pengesanan Kanser Payudara The Impact of Breast Density on Breast Cancer Detection / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

@#The purpose of this research was to identify which category of breast density had higher possibility led to missed breast cancer and incorrect diagnosis. Ethics approval was granted by the Instituitional Research Ethics Committee. A total of 495 mammographic cases were chosen from the Radiology Department, University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. All the mammographic cases were grouped into four groups which is true negative, true positive, false positive and false negative. Next, the mammograms were classified according to breast density categories (BI-RADS (a, b, c and d). Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios of a false-positive and false-negative mammograms being associated with each category of breast density. Women with breast density BI-RADS d were four times more likely to have a false-positive mammogram than women with breast density BI-RADS a (odd ratio [OR], 4.27; 95% CI,0.88- 20.67). While women with breast density BI-RADS b and BI-RADS c were almost two times more likely (odd ratio [OR], 1.59, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.29-8.77, 0.25-7.01) to have a false-negative mammogram than women with fatty breast tissue (BI-RADS a). Mammographic image with breast density BI-RADS d has higher possibility to be falsely diagnosed, while mammographic image with breast density BI-RADS b and c have high possibility to miss the cancer. Thus, radiologist should be more cautious when interpreting mammograms with breast density BI-RADS b, c and d, so that the number of missed cancer and falsely diagnosis can be reduced at very early stage. Early detection of breast cancer can increase patients’ survival rate.

Molecular breast imaging and background uptake of fibroglandular tissue as tools to predict neoplasms in dense breasts

The sensitivity of mammography as a screening method is low in dense breasts, which are associated with a high risk of developing tumors. Thus, molecular breast imaging (MBI) with background uptake (BPU) of fibroglandular tissue can be used as a complementary method. The aim of this review was to synthesize the existing evidence on these important diagnostic imaging tools. Three electronic databases were searched to identify original articles, including publications dating from September 2010 and September 2020, in English, conducted in any location, and addressing at least one aspect related to dense breasts and Breast-specific gamma-imaging (BSGI). In total, 22 studies were reviewed. Several advantages of MBI and BPU as complementary methods of screening for dense breasts were found. Among them, we can mention the increase in breast cancer detection rate, easy implementation in clinical practice, high patient satisfaction, low cost and good reproducibility. In view of the good results found in our review, we can conclude that the implementation of MBI, especially with BPU, can be a promising complementary tool for screening of dense breasts.

Preliminary study of the technical limitations of automated breast ultrasound: from procedure to diagnosis / Estudo preliminar das limitações técnicas da ultrassonografia automatizada da mama: do procedimento ao diagnóstico

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the main technical limitations of automated breast ultrasound and to determine the proportion of examinations excluded. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 440 automated breast ultrasound examinations performed, over a 12-month period, by technicians using an established protocol. Results: In five cases (1.1%), the examination was deemed unacceptable for diagnostic purposes, those examinations therefore being excluded. Conclusion: Automated breast ultrasound is expected to overcome some of the major limitations of conventional ultrasound in breast cancer screening. In Brazil, this new method can be accepted for inclusion in routine clinical practice only after its advantages have been validated in the national context.

Resumo Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as principais limitações técnicas e a porcentagem de exames excluídos de ultrassonografia automatizada. Materiais e Métodos: Foram realizados 440 exames de ultrassonografia automatizada das mamas no período 12 meses, por técnicas, com protocolo estabelecido. Resultados: Em cinco casos (1,1%) a interpretação do estudo foi inaceitável, sendo o exame excluído do presente estudo para fins de diagnóstico. Conclusão: A ultrassonografia automatizada das mamas apresenta a expectativa de resolver importantes limitações da ultrassonografia convencional no rastreamento do câncer de mama, sendo necessária uma maior validação de dados brasileiros, para que este novo método seja aceito na prática clínica de rotina.

Thermal Profiling Analysis for Asymmetrically Embedded Tumour with Different Breast Densities

@#Introduction: Detecting breast cancer at earlier stage is crucial to increase the survival rate. Mammography as the golden screening tool has shown to be less effective for younger women due to denser breast tissue. Infrared Thermography has been touted as an adjunct modality to mammography. Further investigation of thermal distribution in breast cancer patient is important prior to its clinical interpretation. Therefore, thermal profiling using 3D computational simulation was carried out to understand the effect of changes in size and location of tumour embedded in breast to the surface temperature distribution at different breast densities. Methods: Extremely dense (ED) and predominantly fatty dense (PF) breast models were developed and simulated using finite element analysis (FEA). Pennes’ bioheat equation was adapted to show the heat transfer mechanism by providing appropriate thermophysical properties in each tissue layer. 20 case studies with various tumour size embedded at two asymmetrical positions in the breast models were analysed. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed by recording the temperature values along the arc of breast, calculating of temperature difference at the peaks and comparing multiple thermal images. Results: Bigger size of tumour demands a larger increase in breast surface temperatures. As tumour is located far from the centre of the breast or near to the edge, there was a greater shift of temperature peak. Conclusion: Size and location of tumour in various levels of breast density should be considered as a notable factor to thermal profile on breast when using thermography for early breast cancer detection.

Estudio de Casos y Controles: Cáncer de Mama y su Asociación con la Densidad Mamaria Incrementada Visualizada por Mamografía en el Instituto del Cáncer SOLCA Cuenca ­ Ecuador, 2013 ­ 2015 / Case-Control Study: Breast Cancer and the Association with Increased Breast Density Visualized by Mammography at the Cancer Institute SOLCA Cuenca - Ecuador, 2013 - 2015

INTRODUCCIÓN: En la actualidad el cáncer de mama es el segundo tipo más frecuente de cáncer en el mundo, representando una de las principales causas de mortalidad femenina. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la asociación entre cáncer de mama y densidad mamaria incrementada visualizada por mamografía en mujeres de 45 a 70 años del Instituto del Cáncer SOLCA ­ Cuenca. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles; el universo incluyó a pacientes que se realizaron un control mamográfico en el Instituto del Cáncer SOLCA ­ Cuenca, durante el período 2013 ­ 2015. La definición de caso o control estuvo dada por el diagnóstico de cáncer de mama confirmado por estudio histopatológico; se investigó la relación entre densidad mamaria de alto riesgo (C y D) y cáncer de mama. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva, análisis de asociación y riesgo; los datos fueron procesados mediante el programa estadístico SPSS versión 22.0. RESULTADOS: El promedio de edad fue 55.3 años (±7,62). La densidad mamaria C y D estuvo asociada a un incremento del riesgo de desarrollar cáncer de mama OR 8.58 (IC 3.5 ­ 20.60, p=0.001). Los principales hallazgos mamográficos presentes en pacientes con patología maligna fueron: calcificaciones amorfas p= 0.014, calcificaciones finas pleomorfas p= ≤0.001, presencia de nódulos irregulares, hiperdensos y espiculados p= ≤0.001, asimetría focal p= ≤0.001, distorsión de la arquitectura del tejido fibroglandular p= ≤0.001, retracción cutánea p= 0.029, engrosamiento cutáneo p= ≤0.001, y la presencia de ganglios linfáticos de morfología sospechosa p= 0.032. CONCLUSIÓN: El patrón de densidad mamaria C y D se asocia a un incremento del riesgo de presentar cáncer de mama. Se requiere implementar políticas de prevención que faciliten la notificación, diagnóstico y manejo específico de estas pacientes.(AU)

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the second most frequent type of cancer worldwide, representing one of the main causes of female mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the association between breast cancer and increased breast density visualized by mammography in women from 45 to 70 years old of the Cancer Institute SOLCA ­ Cuenca. METHODS: A case-control study was performed; the universe included patients who underwent a mammographic study at the Cancer Institute SOLCA Cuenca ­ Ecuador during the period 2013 ­ 2015. The definition of case of control was given by the diagnosis of breast cancer confirmed by histopathological study; the relationship between high-risk breast density (C and D) and breast cancer was evaluated. Descriptive statistics, risk and association analysis were used; data were processed using statistical program SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS: The average age was 55.3 years (± 7.62). Mammary density C and D was associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer OR 8.58 (IC 3.5 - 20.60, p= 0.001). The main mammographic findings present in patients with malignant pathology were: amorphous calcifications p= 0.014, pleomorphic fine calcifications p= ≤0.001, presence of irregular, hyperdense and speculated nodules p= ≤0.001, focal asymmetry p= ≤0.001, distortion of the architecture of fibroglandular tissue p= ≤0.001, cutaneous retraction p= 0.029, cutaneous thickening p= ≤0.001, and the presence of lymph nodes of suspicious morphology p= 0.032. CONCLUSION: Type C and D breast density is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. It is necessary to implement prevention policies that facilitate timely notification, diagnosis and specific management of these patients.(AU)

Interaction Effect Between Breast Density and Reproductive Factors on Breast Cancer Risk in Korean Population

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to explore the effect of known risk factors, focusing on risk factors including age at menarche, age at menopause, number of children, family history of breast cancer, and age at first birth according to breast density, in consideration of interaction among East-Asian women. METHODS: Case-control study with 2,123 cases and 2,121 controls with mammographic density was conducted. Using the mammographic film, breast density was measured using Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System. To identify the association of selected reproductive factors including age at menarche, age at menopause, number of children, family history of breast cancer, and age at first birth according to breast density, stratified analysis was conducted according to breast density groups and interaction effects was assessed. The results were presented with adjusted OR and 95% CIs. RESULTS: Significant interaction effect between age at first birth and breast density on breast cancer (P = 0.048) was observed. Women with age at first birth ≥ 28 years old showed increased breast cancer risk in extremely dense breast group (≥ 75%) (OR = 1.627, 95% CI = 1.190–2.226). However, women with fatty breast (< 50%) and heterogeneously dense breast (50%–75%) did not show an increased association. Age at menarche, age at menopause, number of children, and family history of breast cancer did not show significant interaction with breast cancer and similar risk patterns were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Age at first birth showed significant interaction with breast density on breast cancer risk. Further studies considering biologically plausable model between exposure, intermediate outcomes and breast cancer risk with prospective design need to be undertaken in East Asian women.

Factors affecting mastectomy specimen density in direct-to-implant breast reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Direct-to-implant breast reconstruction following nipple-sparing mastectomy is becoming increasingly common. The weight of the breast specimen informs implant selection. However, specimens of the same weight may have different volume. Therefore, identifying the factors affecting the density of breast specimens may facilitate the selection of implants with an appropriate volume. METHODS: From December 2015 to May 2018, 108 patients underwent direct-to-implant reconstruction following nipple-sparing mastectomy. The weight of the breast specimens was measured using an electronic scale in the operating room. Furthermore, the volume of specimens was measured using the water displacement technique. Multiple regression analysis was performed on factors that can affect breast density, such as menopause, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CTx), age, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: The average density of breast specimens in patients older than 50 years (n=36) was 0.96±0.04 g/mL, which was significantly lower than the 1.01±0.08 g/mL observed in patients younger than 50 years (n=72) (P=0.007). The mean density of breast specimens in patients who underwent neoadjuvant CTx (n=25) was 0.96±0.06 g/mL, which was significantly lower than the value of 1.00±0.08 g/mL in those who did not (n=83). CONCLUSIONS: It is advisable to select an implant slightly larger than the mastectomy specimen weight in patients older than 50 years or in those who have undergone neoadjuvant CTx.

Menopausal hormone therapy on breast lesions in perimenopausal women / 预防医学

Objective@#To explore the correlation between menopausal hormone therapy（MHT）and breast lesions in perimenopausal women,and to provide evidence for safe use of MHT. @*Methods@#The 40-60 year-old women who visited Hangzhou Women's Hospital and met the diagnostic criteria for perimenopausal syndrome were recruited. The intervention group received MHT and was divided into three subgroups according to the MHT regimen：estrogen-progesterone cycle therapy（A）,estrogen-progesterone continuous therapy（B）,estrogen therapy（C）. The control group did not receive MHT. All the patients received regular mammography to quantify and evaluate breast lesions. The generalized estimating equation was used to analyze the changes of breast lesions between different groups.@*Results@#There were 80 cases in the intervention group,with 49 in group A,26 in group B,5 in group C,and 80 cases in the control group. After two years of follow-up,there was no statistically significant differences of time,group and interaction in breast density,volume of breast fibrous tissue and the volume of breast between three intervention groups and the control group（P>0.05）; there was no statistically significant differences of group and interaction in positive rate of calcification and breast mass between the intervention group and the control group（P>0.05）. @*Conclusion@#Receiving MHT intervention for two years did not increase the risk of breast lesions.

Summary and expectation of the role of GnRHa in the treatment of breast cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

Gonadotropin-releasing-hormone analogues (GnRHa) are widely used in the treatment of premenopausal breast cancer. The anti-tumor effect of GnRHa is similar to that of surgical castration or chemotherapy, through reversibly inhibiting ovarian function and downregulating the estrogen level in premenopausal female. At the same time, GnRHa can protect the ovarian function, avoiding premature ovarian failure. Also GnRHa can reduce the breast density and endometrial thickness, as a result of which GnRHa may be used to prevent breast cancer in the higher risk population and promote quality of life in breast cancer patients. We here review the clinical roles and research progress of GnRHa in breast cancer.

Prevalence of Women with Dense Breasts in Korea: Results from a Nationwide Cross-sectional Study / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Women with dense breast are known to be at high risk for breast cancer, but their prevalence and number of Korean women are unknown. The current study was to investigate the distribution of mammographic breast density by age of women undergoing screening mammography, and to estimate the prevalence of Korean women with dense breasts, quantitatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For obtaining a nationwide representative sample, 6,481 mammograms were collected from 86 screening units participated in the National Cancer Screening Program for breast cancer. Based on the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System classification, breast density was evaluated by six breast radiologists, qualitatively. We applied these breast density distributions to age-specific counts of the Korean women population derived to mid-year 2017 to estimate the number of Korean women with dense breasts. RESULTS: Overall, 54.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 52.9% to 55.8%) of women 40 to 69 years of age had heterogeneously or extremely dense breasts, and this proportion was inversely associated with age. Based on the age distribution of Korean women, we estimated that 6,083,000 women (95% CI, 5,919,600 to 6,245,600) age 40-69 years in Korean have dense breasts. Women aged 40-49 years (n=3,450,000) accounted for 56.7% of this group. CONCLUSION: More than half of Korean women aged 40 and over have dense breasts. To prevent breast cancer effectively and efficiently, it is necessary to develop a new personalized prevention strategy considering her status of breast density.

Abbreviated Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Breast Cancer Screening: Concept, Early Results, and Considerations

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been increasingly utilized, especially in screening for high-risk cases, because of its high sensitivity and superior ability to detect cancers as compared with mammography and ultrasound. Several limitations such as higher cost, longer examination time, longer interpretation time, and low availability have hindered the wider application of MRI, especially for screening of average-risk women. To overcome some of these limitations and increase access to MRI screening, an abbreviated breast MRI protocol has been introduced. Abbreviated breast MRI is becoming popular and challenges the status quo. This review aims to present an overview of abbreviated MRI, discuss the current findings, and introduce ongoing prospective trials.

Reliability of breast density estimation based on cone beam breast CT / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:To investigate the accuracy of a threshold-based segmentation method based on cone beam breast CT(CBBCT) images in breast density measurement,and its value for breast-type classification and breast cancer screening.Methods:A retrospec-tive analysis of 195 patients who had undergone CBBCT examination at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital be-tween May 2012 and August 2014 was performed.A total of 64 breasts were analyzed.On the basis of the classification criteria for breast density in BI-RADS,they were classified into four types and the majority report was reported.Breast density was measured by the threshold-based segmentation method based on CBBCT images and corrected manually to obtain the corrected breast density.A month later,the procedure was repeated.Intra-class correlation coefficients(ICCs)were used to compare the intra-observer and inter-observer consistencies of threshold-based segmentation and manually corrected breast density measurement results for non-dense and dense breasts.Results:For threshold-based segmentation measurements the intra-observer and inter-observer ICC values were 0.0.9624(95% CI:0.9388~0.9770)and 0.9666(95% CI:0.9500~0.9785).For manually corrected measurements,the intra-observer and inter-observer ICC values were 0.9750 (95% CI: 0.9592~0.9847) and 0.9775 (95% CI: 0.9661~0.9855). The ICC between the threshold-based segmentation method and manual correction was 0.9962 (95% CI: 0.9983~0.9977). The ICC values of threshold-based and manually corrected measurement in non-dense and dense breasts were 0.9497(95% CI:0.7072-0.9914)and 0.9983(95% CI:0.9971-0.9990),respectively.Conclusions:The threshold-based segmentation method based on CBBCT is a reliable and accurate com-puter-aided method of measuring breast density.It is expected to be applied in large-scale screening of breast cancer and to provide more information for predicting the risk of breast cancer.

Breast density pattern characterization by histogram features and texture descriptors

Abstract Introduction Breast cancer is the first leading cause of death for women in Brazil as well as in most countries in the world. Due to the relation between the breast density and the risk of breast cancer, in medical practice, the breast density classification is merely visual and dependent on professional experience, making this task very subjective. The purpose of this paper is to investigate image features based on histograms and Haralick texture descriptors so as to separate mammographic images into categories of breast density using an Artificial Neural Network. Methods We used 307 mammographic images from the INbreast digital database, extracting histogram features and texture descriptors of all mammograms and selecting them with the K-means technique. Then, these groups of selected features were used as inputs of an Artificial Neural Network to classify the images automatically into the four categories reported by radiologists. Results An average accuracy of 92.9% was obtained in a few tests using only some of the Haralick texture descriptors. Also, the accuracy rate increased to 98.95% when texture descriptors were mixed with some features based on a histogram. Conclusion Texture descriptors have proven to be better than gray levels features at differentiating the breast densities in mammographic images. From this paper, it was possible to automate the feature selection and the classification with acceptable error rates since the extraction of the features is suitable to the characteristics of the images involving the problem.

Associations between Breast Density on Mammography and Lifestyle Related Disease

BACKGROUND: Dense breast reduced the sensitivity of mammography in breast cancer screening and known as an independent risk factor of breast cancer. The relationship between breast density and age, body mass index has studied. However, there are few studies on the relationship between breast density and lifestyle related disease. In this study, we investigated the relationship between mammographic breast density and lifestyle related disease. METHODS: Retrospective cross sectional research was carried out from people who visited a single health screening center in Busan from January 2015 to December 2015. We investigated age, past history of the subjects and measured their height, weight, blood pressure and waist circumference. The biochemical test was carried out using their blood. All patients underwent mammography. The breast density on mammography determined by the basis of American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR BI-RADS) breast composition and 996 people was recruited. RESULTS: In the distribution of breast density, 16.3% of women (n=160) had dense breast. Age (under 49), body mass index (BMI) (underweight) were positively correlated with the BI-RADS composition category 3, 4 but the number of lifestyle related disease were negatively correlated (age ρ=0.17, BMI ρ=0.39, the number of lifestyle related disease ρ=-0.21). The odds ratio (OR) of dense breast increased with decreasing lifestyle related disease severity (OR=3.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.13-8.22, P=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the number of lifestyle related disease was negatively correlated with mammographic density. The OR of dense breast increased with decreasing lifestyle related disease severity. Therefore, primary physicians should consider negative correlation between breast density and lifestyle related disease in breast cancer screening.

Correlation research of female breast density types,age and breast cancer / 实用肿瘤学杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between the types of female breast density and age and breast cancer .Methods By accepting the digital mammography X -ray examination for 5 006 women cases and according to the ACR BI -RADS standard in the fourth edition ,the breast density assessment was quantified . We analysed the relationship between the breast density and age and breast cancer .Results In 5 006 cases,the average female age was between 44.22 ±8.09 years old,median age was 43 years old.The components of the breast density were fat type , small amount type , large amount type and compact type each count were 256 (5.11%),726(14.51%),3 719(74.29%),305(6.09%)respectively.By dividing into different age -group to analyze the breast density,there was significant statistical differences of the breast density among age -groups(P<0.001).Among them the breast cancer were 184 cases.Age was between 51.26 ±10.15 years old.Breast cancer in each breast density were fat type 10.16%(26/256),small amount type 9.09%(66/726),large a-mount type 2.45%(91/3719)and compact type 0.33%(1/305).There were statistical differences among age -groups and breast densities and breast (P<0.001).Conclusion Age plays a very important effects on the fe-male breast density .The lower breast density is a high risk factor to breast cancer occurrence .