Prototype of a new machine designed to detect tumors in women with dense breast tissue

Prototype of a new machine designed to detect tumors in women with dense breast tissue

The prototype of a new machine that can detect tumors in women with dense breast tissue has been developed by researchers at UCL, Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle University in collaboration with International Technology Group Kromek.

All breasts are composed of adipose (fat) and fibroglandular (dense) tissue. Up to 40% of women have dense breasts with a high proportion of fibroglandular tissue.

Dense breasts pose a problem for mammogram tests to detect cancer growth. Because both dense tissue and tumors appear white on a mammogram, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two.

MRI scans are sometimes used to get a more detailed scan of dense breast tissue. While they are a useful diagnostic tool, MRIS can take up to an hour per scan, making it impractical for routine screening. Contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM), used to highlight areas of concern in the breast, exposes patients to higher levels of radiation and is not widely available.

Molecular breast imaging (MBI) is another technology that uses a radioactive tracer to “illuminate” cancerous areas in the breast. It has high sensitivity for detecting cancer in dense breast tissue compared to a standard mammogram, but the radiation dose is higher and the exposure time is longer.

Improved MBI technology has the potential to overcome these limitations by offering reduced scan time of approximately ten minutes, far less radiation exposure, and higher levels of precision through 3D imaging.

This advance would not only significantly reduce procedure time, but also provide a clearer picture of where cancer tissue is located without requiring further imaging. Together, these improvements could mean that the new MBI technology could be a more efficient, safer and accessible solution for additional screening in women with dense breast tissue.

Around 40% of women have dense breast tissue, but this only becomes apparent when they attend their mammogram. This is usually not a cause for concern because screening with mammograms is effective, but women with dense breast tissue have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer.

It's really important to find new technologies that can improve our ability to detect breast cancer in dense breasts. We are pleased with the progress we have made with Kromek, Newcastle University and UCL since the project began in 2022. We hope that this technology could ultimately save more lives from breast cancer in the future. “

Dr. Nerys Forester, Consultant Breast Radiologist and Breast Radiology Project Lead at Newcastle Hospitals

Professor Kris Thielemans, a medical imaging physics expert from the UCL Department of Medicine with colleagues Dr. Kjell Erlandsson and Professor Brian Hutton, said: “This project is an important opportunity

"By developing this imaging technology, we are moving closer to early detection and more effective and effective detection for a broader range of patients. Our collaboration has made excellent progress and we are confident that this technology will play a key role in supporting better health outcomes."

"In addition, I believe this novel technology has significant potential for applications beyond breast imaging. For example, there is a growing need for dedicated brain imaging devices with better performance than what is currently achievable in areas such as cancer and dementia treatment."

Dr. Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek, said: “Our new molecular breast imaging technology has the potential to save women's lives by enabling earlier, faster and more accurate detection of aggressive breast cancers, particularly in those with dense breast tissue where conventional mammography often fails.

"Using state-of-the-art cadmium zinc telluride detectors and advanced electronics, this technology delivers faster scans at a lower dose, transforming a standard 2D image into a precise 3D view. Currently in prototype trials at Newcastle at Tyne Hospitals, the system is capable of making breast cancer screening both more effective and accessible to those most at risk."

The project, which has received £2.5m from Innovate UK, will enter clinical trials once the current phase of prototype testing is complete.

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