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. 2012:2012:863747.
doi: 10.1155/2012/863747. Epub 2012 Dec 4.

Optical imaging in breast cancer diagnosis: the next evolution

Michel Herranz  1 , Alvaro Ruibal
Affiliations

Optical imaging in breast cancer diagnosis: the next evolution

Michel Herranz et al. J Oncol. 2012.

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among the population of the Western world. Diagnostic methods include mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance; meanwhile, nuclear medicine techniques have a secondary role, being useful in regional assessment and therapy followup. Optical imaging is a very promising imaging technique that uses near-infrared light to assess optical properties of tissues and is expected to play an important role in breast cancer detection. Optical breast imaging can be performed by intrinsic breast tissue contrast alone (hemoglobin, water, and lipid content) or with the use of exogenous fluorescent probes that target specific molecules for breast cancer. Major advantages of optical imaging are that it does not use any radioactive components, very high sensitivity, relatively inexpensive, easily accessible, and the potential to be combined in a multimodal approach with other technologies such as mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and positron emission tomography. Moreover, optical imaging agents could, potentially, be used as "theranostics," combining the process of diagnosis and therapy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Optical breast-imaging basis. (a) Optical imaging without contrast agent where absorption results in decreased light intensity. (b) Optical imaging with contrast agent where a fluorescent probe emits light at a higher wavelength.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Breast optical imaging prototype. Patient lies in prone position. Soft compression in a plane and detection in the opposite one.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Endogenous absorption related to wavelength. HHb. Hemoglobin. O2Hb: Oxigenated Hemoglobin.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) Estructure of ICG. (b) Absorption/fluorescene spectrum of ICG.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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