A groundbreaking development in breast cancer imaging has been made by an international team of researchers. They have introduced a novel X-ray mammography technique that produces high-resolution three-dimensional images of the breast while using radiation doses approximately 25 times lower than traditional two-dimensional radiography. Additionally, this innovative method enhances the spatial resolution of high-energy X-ray CT scans by up to three times. The findings were recently published in the online edition of the *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*.
Currently, the standard technique for breast cancer screening is "Double View Digital Mammography," which only captures two images of the breast tissue. This limitation often leads to missed detections, as it fails to identify 10% to 20% of breast tumors. Moreover, the technique can sometimes produce ambiguous results, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis.
While CT scans are capable of generating highly accurate 3D images of internal organs, they are not commonly used for breast cancer diagnosis due to concerns about radiation exposure. The breasts are particularly sensitive to radiation, and repeated CT scans could pose long-term health risks.
This new technology aims to address these challenges. Researchers are currently testing the system using synchrotron X-rays, and if successfully implemented in hospitals, it could become a complementary tool to dual-view digital mammography. By combining high-energy X-rays with phase-contrast imaging and advanced EST mathematical algorithms, the system reconstructs detailed CT images from X-ray data. This approach significantly reduces the required radiation dose—by up to six times—and allows for clearer, more detailed images with less exposure.
Phase-contrast imaging further improves image quality by reducing the number of X-rays needed for each scan, while the EST algorithm achieves comparable image quality with four times less radiation. Using this method, the research team captured 512 images of the breast from various angles, resulting in a 3D image that surpasses traditional mammography in clarity, contrast, and overall quality.
According to the researchers, the success of this project is the result of a decade-long collaboration between the European Synchrotron Radiation Source (ESRF) Research Center, the University of Munich, and the University of California, Los Angeles. Looking ahead, the team aims to apply this technology to detect other diseases early and develop a suitable X-ray source to bring the technology into clinical practice sooner.
Vertical Light Tower
Vertical Light Tower
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