Assessing Tumor Volume from Mammography in Advanced Breast Cancer
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: An Approach for Assessment of Tumor Volume from Mammography in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Gupreet Singh
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: An Approach for Assessment of Tumor Volume from Mammography in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer
Year: 2008
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women, especially prevalent in India, where a significant percentage of cases present as locally advanced disease. Accurate assessment of tumor size is a critical factor in the prognosis and treatment response of breast cancer patients. Traditional methods for measuring tumor volume, such as ultrasonography and computed tomography, have shown increasing utility, but they often encounter challenges related to accuracy and reproducibility. This study aims to explore the feasibility of calculating tumor volume using mammography images after demagnification, comparing these measurements with those obtained through ultrasound to establish a standardized approach for monitoring treatment responses in breast cancer patients.
Tumor Volume Measurement by Imaging Techniques
One significant finding from the study relates to the correlation between tumor volumes measured via mammography and ultrasonography. The results indicated a high degree of correlation (r = 0.99) between the two methods, suggesting that mammography could be a viable alternative for accurately measuring tumor volumes in breast cancer patients. The calculated tumor volumes from mammography were subjected to a percentage variation analysis against ultrasound volumes, revealing a mean difference of approximately -33.58% and -40.68% for ellipsoid and spherical calculations, respectively. This emphasizes that while ultrasound remains the standard for volumetric analysis, mammography can also provide useful volume measurements, thereby expanding the toolkit available to radiologists for evaluating tumor responses during chemotherapy.
Conclusion
The study asserts that tumor volume, as a more accurate representation of the three-dimensional aspect of breast cancer masses, should be emphasized in clinical assessments. Compared to traditional unidimensional and bidimensional measurement techniques, volumetric analysis offers a superior method for tracking the therapeutic response of tumors. The ability to reliably calculate tumor volume from mammography images not only enhances the prospects for improved treatment monitoring but also contributes to establishing a standardized 'common language' in oncology for describing treatment responses. Therefore, integrating mammography measurements into routine practice could lead to more refined and effective management strategies for breast cancer treatment.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
Why is tumor size an important indicator in breast cancer?
Tumor size serves as a vital independent prognostic indicator for breast cancer patients. Monitoring size changes during primary systemic therapy helps assess treatment effectiveness and estimate patient outcomes.
How is tumor volume calculated from mammography images?
Tumor volume from mammography is calculated using a demagnification process. The diameter is measured in craniocaudal and mediolateral views, then the ellipsoid volume formula is applied to derive the volume.
What are the limitations of existing tumor volume measurement methods?
Many existing methods face challenges such as poor accuracy, reproducibility issues, and difficulty in obtaining clear images. Consequently, these limitations hinder effective assessment of tumor burden in clinical settings.
How does mammography volume measurement compare to ultrasonography?
In the study, mammography's tumor volume estimates showed high correlation with ultrasonography, despite a mean percentage variation. Overall, both methods can provide valuable insights into tumor response during treatment.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Assessing Tumor Volume from Mammography in Advanced Breast Cancer”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Measurement:
Measurement refers to the process of quantifying tumor size or volume, which is critical in assessing treatment efficacy and patient prognosis in cancer patients. It can involve various imaging techniques, including mammography and ultrasound, to provide accurate assessments and track changes over time during therapeutic interventions.
2) Cancer:
Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation. In the context of breast cancer, recognizing its prevalence and distinct characteristics is vital. Effective measurement and treatment monitoring, as indicated in the study, are important for improving outcomes and understanding the disease's progression.
3) Disease:
Disease, in this context, refers specifically to breast cancer, which is a significant health issue. Understanding the mechanisms, stages, and treatment responses of the disease is foundational to developing effective management strategies, improving patient care, and evaluating therapeutic efficacy through reliable measurement methods discussed in the study.
4) Water:
Water is referenced as a standard for measuring volume in the study, specifically in the context of evaluating tumor volumes through displacement methods. It serves as a reliable medium for comparison against other measurement techniques such as ultrasound and mammography, providing a baseline for accuracy in volume estimation.
5) Study (Studying):
The study investigates the correlation and accuracy of tumor volume measurements obtained from mammography and ultrasonography. It emphasizes the importance of standardized methods for tumor assessment in breast cancer, contributing to improved treatment response evaluation and ultimately enhancing patient prognostic outcomes through accurate measurements.
6) Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is a primary treatment modality used for breast cancer, aimed at reducing tumor size and preventing disease progression. The study focuses on assessing tumor response to chemotherapy through volumetric measurements, highlighting the significance of understanding treatment efficacy via accurate and reproducible size evaluations to guide clinical decisions.
7) Table:
Table refers to data tabulated in the study detailing comparisons of tumor volume measurements obtained through various methods such as ultrasound, mammography, and water displacement. It serves as a visual representation of the results that facilitate easy understanding and analysis of the accuracy and reliability of different measurement techniques.
8) Drug:
Drug, in this context, pertains to anticancer pharmaceuticals that are developed based on tumor shrinkage responses observed during treatment. Understanding how effective drugs are in reducing tumor volume through accurate measurements allows for improved therapeutic strategies, underscoring the critical nature of volumetric assessments in the study.
9) Calculation:
Calculation involves the use of mathematical formulas for determining tumor volume based on measurements collected from imaging techniques. This fundamental process is crucial in assessing tumor response and aiding in treatment evaluation, significantly influencing prognosis and treatment planning within oncological practices, as highlighted in the research.
10) India:
India is significant in this study as it highlights the epidemiology of breast cancer within the specific population, including high rates of locally advanced cases. Understanding regional cancer statistics helps inform healthcare strategies and underscores the importance of accurate tumor volume assessment approaches tailored to the population's needs.
11) Perception:
Perception refers to how radiologists or clinicians visually assess tumors on imaging studies. This subjective interpretation can introduce variability and potential errors in measuring tumor size, which is critical because accurate volumetric determination is essential for effective treatment monitoring and subsequent patient management, emphasized in the study.
12) Substance:
Substance in this context refers to objects, like potatoes and pumpkins, used to mimic tumors in the study's calibration experiments. These substances facilitated a comparison of volume measurement techniques, emphasizing the need for accuracy in estimating tumor volumes, which is key to evaluating treatment effectiveness in clinical settings.
13) Dividing:
Dividing relates to the methodology of calculating tumor dimensions by demagnifying mammography images to accurately assess volume. This process is essential for reducing errors in volume estimation, ensuring that treatment evaluation is based on precise measurements, a core theme in the study’s objective of comparing imaging techniques.
14) Language:
Language refers to the standardized terminology and definitions necessary for accurately reporting cancer treatment responses across various medical fields. Establishing a common language is critical to enhance communication among oncologists regarding treatment efficacy and tumor response, as addressed in the study to improve transparency and consistency.
15) Relative:
Relative pertains to the comparative nature of measuring tumor volumes across different modalities, such as mammography and ultrasound. Understanding the relative accuracy and differences between these measurement techniques is vital for oncologists in selecting the most effective approach for evaluating patient treatment responses, underscoring reliability in the study.
16) Mustard:
Mustard represents a historical reference in oncology related to chemotherapeutic agents. The mention serves to highlight the evolution of cancer treatment protocols and the importance of accurate measurement in assessing new drugs' efficacy in inducing tumor shrinkage, which is central to the study's focus on volumetric evaluations.
17) Indian:
Indian contextualizes the demographic focus of the study, which emphasizes breast cancer incidence and treatment responses within the Indian population. Understanding local variations in cancer presentation and therapy responses is critical for developing targeted treatment strategies and enhancing patient care in specific populations affected by breast cancer.
18) Kumar (Kumār):
Kumar refers to one of the authors referenced in the study's literature. By citing works from prominent researchers in oncology, the study aims to support its findings with established scientific knowledge, reinforcing the significance of accurate volumetric measurements and the ongoing discourse in breast cancer research.
19) Pur (Pūr):
Poor describes the limitations associated with previous measurement techniques for estimating tumor volumes that often led to inaccuracies. This term emphasizes the necessity for improvement in methodologies, such as those proposed in the study, to ensure reliable evaluations of treatment responses in breast cancer patients and better prognostic accuracy.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Assessing Tumor Volume from Mammography in Advanced Breast Cancer’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Breast cancer, Irregular shape, Treatment regimen, Complete response, World Health Organization, Disease progression, Therapeutic response, Accurate measurement, Confidence interval, Cancer treatment, Tumor Size, Vernier caliper, Breast carcinoma, Tumor mass, Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, Tumor volume, Anticancer drug, Tumor volume measurement, Clinical potential, Tumor burden, Clinical techniques, Percentage variation, Cell proliferation kinetics.