Prospective comparative study assessing role of ultrasound versus thermography in breast cancer detection

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Alikhassi, A.^{a; *} | Hamidpour, Sh. F.^{b; c; *} | Firouzmand, M.^b | Navid, M.^d | Eghbal, M.^b

Affiliations: [a] Department of Radiology, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran | [b] Department of Bio-Medical Engineering, Institute of Electrical Engineering & Information Technology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran | [c] ACECR Institute of Higher Education, Isfahan Branch, Isfahan, Iran | [d] Medical Thermography Department, Fanavaran Infrared Technologists Co., Tehran, Iran

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding authors: Afsaneh Alikhassi, Radiology Department, Cancer Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Keshavarz Blvd., Tehran, 33141-14197, Iran. Tel: +98 21 61192849; Fax: +98 21 66581626; E-mail: afsanehalikhassi@yahoo.co.uk, a-alikhasi@sina.tums.ac.ir and Shahrbanoo F. Hamidpour, Medical engineering Group, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Sh. Ehsani Rad St., Enqelab St., Parsa Sq., Ahmadabad Mostoufi Rd., Azadegan Highway, P. O. Box 3353-5111, Tehran 3353136846, I. R. Iran Tel: (+9821)56276031-2 (+9821)56276026, E-mail: sh_hamidpour@yahoo.com

Abstract: BACKGROUND:The limitations of mammography as a screening and diagnostic tool, especially for younger women with dense breasts, makes it necessary to use an adjunctive modality to cover its shortcomings. Ultrasound and thermography both have potential role in this era. OBJECTIVES:We will compare the accuracy of thermography with ultrasound in breast cancer diagnosis in a clinical setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS:This study consisted of 78 women who underwent ultrasound and thermography on the same day, since evaluations were performed for both breasts in all patients separately, each breast was considered a distinct case. Biopsy was performed in 14 suspicious cases with an outcome of 7 malignant results. All women were followed for one year. RESULTS:The average age of 78 patients was 41.0 ± 10.4 years. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and overall accuracy for ultrasound in diagnosing malignant breast lesions were 100%, 95.3%, 50.0%, 100%, 95.5% and for thermography 85.7%, 78.5%, 15.8%, 99.1%, and 78.8% respectively. CONCLUSION:We believe that thermography is a non-invasive, safe, and accepted method by patients; however, despite technical advances in it, its diagnostic abilities are still less than those of sonography, so we suggest that it be used as an adjunct in breast cancer diagnosis in selective situations.

Keywords: Thermography, sonography, breast cancer, mammography

DOI: 10.3233/BD-180321

Journal: Breast Disease, vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 191-196, 2018