An automated computational biomechanics workflow for improving breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Issue 4 (14th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Babarenda Gamage, Thiranja Prasad; Malcolm, Duane T. K.; Maso Talou, Gonzalo; Mîra, Anna; Doyle, Anthony; Nielsen, Poul M. F.; Nash, Martyn P.
• Is Part Of: Interface focus. Volume 9:Issue 4(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-06-14
• Subjects: breast biomechanics -- breast anatomical modelling -- breast cancer imaging -- automated medical image analysis -- soft tissue modelling -- magnetic resonance imaging segmentation; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Periodicals; 500
• DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2019.0034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2042-8898

Abstract

Abstract : Clinicians face many challenges when diagnosing and treating breast cancer. These challenges include interpreting and co-locating information between different medical imaging modalities that are used to identify tumours and predicting where these tumours move to during different treatment procedures. We have developed a novel automated breast image analysis workflow that integrates state-of-the-art image processing and machine learning techniques, personalized three-dimensional biomechanical modelling and population-based statistical analysis to assist clinicians during breast cancer detection and treatment procedures. This paper summarizes our recent research to address the various technical and implementation challenges associated with creating a fully automated system. The workflow is applied to predict the repositioning of tumours from the prone position, where diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging is performed, to the supine position where treatment procedures are performed. We discuss our recent advances towards addressing challenges in identifying the mechanical properties of the breast and evaluating the accuracy of the biomechanical models. We also describe our progress in implementing a prototype of this workflow in clinical practice. Clinical adoption of these state-of-the-art modelling techniques has significant potential for reducing the number of misdiagnosed breast cancers, while also helping to improve the treatment of patients.