An improved three-dimensional direct numerical modelling and thermal analysis of a female breast with tumour

It is well known that malignant tumour tissue generally has higher metaboli c and blood perfusion rates than most normal tissues. The authors aim to sh ow that the tissue temperature profile within the breast and the surface te mperature profile can be quantified to develop an expert system or diagnost ic tool for boast cancer detection. The surface temperature and tissue temp erature profiles are analysed for a three-dimensional numerical model of a normal breast and a breast with a tumour. Tumours of different sizes are pl aced at various locations. In the model, the tissue temperature profile is distorted at the tumour location and was found to compare well with in vivo tests. It was also found that as the tumour was moved to deeper locations its effect on surface temperature was lower. It was observed that small tum ours in deeper regions do not have a significant isolated impact on the sur face. The numerical results could also capture a shift in the position of t he tumour. For tumours greater than 10 mm in the superficial regions and of significant size in deeper regions, it could be seen that the surface temp erature distribution of the breast is directly related to the position and size of the tumour embedded in it. The feasibility of providing a diagnosti c tool in conjunction with numerical modelling and high-resolution thermogr ams is also discussed.