Towards in-vivo 3D x-ray imaging of breast cancer using the Australian synchrotron

The Australian Synchrotron is aiming to be a world leader at 3D x-ray imaging of breast cancer patients by performing in-vivo scans by 2021. The synchrotron enables phase contrast enhancement of soft tissue to increase lesion visibility at low radiation doses. We are currently scanning up to 200 fresh mastectomy samples and comparing the features observed in the volumetric reconstructions to those observed in conventional mammography and histo-pathology. One of the key aims of the provisional analysis of the mastectomy samples is to understand how the 3D calculation of tissue density and glandularity relates to that in conventional mammography where the breast is deformed by the compression paddles. These calculations have a direct effect on being able to assess the trade-off between image quality and glandular dose. Organ (mean glandular) dose to the breast can be calculated for clinical data using a variety of methods [1] which assume a glandularity of 50%. An age-specific correction factor which depends on the scanner geometry and technique factors can be applied on a patient-by-patient basis. In this work, the student will gather together the pre-mastectomy clinical images from patients imaged at the Australian Synchrotron (n = 50 to date) and investigate the displayed dose versus the methods available in the literature. Actual breast density and glandularity will be determined by using the VolparaDensity software available through our collaborators. The student will then develop a technique for relating these dose calculations to those determined from true 3D imaging performed at the synchrotron where the breast is not compressed. [1] Suleiman, M.E., Brennan, P.C. and McEntee, M.F., 2017. Mean glandular dose in digital mammography: a dose calculation method comparison. Journal of Medical Imaging, 4(1), p.013502.