Review of optical breast imaging and spectroscopy

Abstract

Diffuse optical imaging and spectroscopy of the female breast is an area of active research. We review the present status of this field and discuss the broad range of methodologies and applications. Starting with a brief overview on breast physiology, the remodeling of vasculature and extracellular matrix caused by solid tumors is highlighted that is relevant for contrast in optical imaging. Then, the various instrumental techniques and the related methods of data analysis and image generation are described and compared including multimodality instrumentation, fluorescence mammography, broadband spectroscopy, and diffuse correlation spectroscopy. We review the clinical results on functional properties of malignant and benign breast lesions compared to host tissue and discuss the various methods to improve contrast between healthy and diseased tissue, such as enhanced spectroscopic information, dynamic variations of functional properties, pharmacokinetics of extrinsic contrast agents, including the enhanced permeability and retention effect. We discuss research on monitoring neoadjuvant chemotherapy and on breast cancer risk assessment as potential clinical applications of optical breast imaging and spectroscopy. Moreover, we consider new experimental approaches, such as photoacoustic imaging and long-wavelength tissue spectroscopy.

Non-invasive optical estimate of tissue composition to differentiate malignant from benign breast lesions: A pilot study

“…Several in vivo studies performed in the past to characterize breast lesions have compared optically derived properties of breast cancer to healthy breast tissue, but not to benign breast lesions25. Thus, information obtained on the sensitivity may not be accurate and the specificity of the proposed techniques could not be estimated.…”

Correlations Among Ultrasound‐Guided Diffuse Optical Tomography, Microvessel Density, and Breast Cancer Prognosis

“…It can be combined with several imaging techniques, such as radiography, US imaging, MRI, and positron emission tomography . Now, it is used in the diagnosis of benign and malignant breast diseases and monitoring patient responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy …”

“…[3][4][5][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Now, it is used in the diagnosis of benign and malignant breast diseases and monitoring patient responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. 18 As a combined technique, US-guided DOT is inexpensive, convenient, and easy to perform, and it has broad application prospects in clinical practice. Ultrasound-guided DOT acquires structural information by using a US transducer and uses near-infrared light to detect the levels of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin in tissues, which exist in the vessels.…”

New frontiers in time-domain diffuse optics, a review

“…34 Thus, a number of in vivo applications and clinical studies were possible with TD systems in different areas, primarily optical mammography, 35 brain mapping, 36 and muscle monitoring. 34 Thus, a number of in vivo applications and clinical studies were possible with TD systems in different areas, primarily optical mammography, 35 brain mapping, 36 and muscle monitoring.…”