Medical Imaging Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to improve the survival rate and quality of life of patients. In this field, the rapid development of medical imaging technology provides a strong support for the accurate diagnosis of breast cancer. This article will discuss the main methods of medical imaging diagnosis of breast cancer and their application and advantages in clinical practice. 1. Mammography: the cornerstone of classical screening mammography, especially molybdenum target mammography, as a classical means of breast cancer screening, has long occupied an important position in the early detection of breast cancer. This technique penetrates breast tissue through low-dose X-ray to form high-resolution images, which can clearly show abnormal signs such as microcalcifications and masses in the breast, and is an effective method to evaluate breast density and find occult lesions. With the popularization of digital mammography (DBM) technology, the image quality has been further improved and the radiation dose has been significantly reduced, making this screening method safer and more efficient. Breast ultrasound plays an important role in the diagnosis of breast cancer because of its advantages of non-invasive, convenient and repeatable examination. This technology penetrates breast tissue through high-frequency sound waves, reflects the echo changes of its internal structure, and evaluates the shape, boundary, blood flow and other characteristics of breast mass in real time. Especially for dense breast or young women, the sensitivity of breast ultrasound is high, which is helpful to find the lesions that may be missed in X-ray photography. In addition, breast ultrasound-guided biopsy technology provides a direct basis for the diagnosis of breast cancer. 3. Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): a powerful tool for accurate diagnosis Breast MRI has become a high-end examination method in breast cancer diagnosis because of its advantages of no radiation, high resolution and high soft tissue contrast. MRI has an irreplaceable value in evaluating the extent of invasion, multifocality or multicentricity, lymph node metastasis and response to neoadjuvant therapy of breast cancer. Through advanced techniques such as dynamic contrast-enhanced scanning and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), MRI can provide more information about the biological characteristics of tumors and provide strong support for the formulation of individualized treatment. 4. Prospects for emerging technologies: Infrared thermography and more In addition to the above mature technologies, infrared thermography, as an emerging technology in the field of breast cancer diagnosis, is gradually attracting attention. Based on the principle of active metabolism and increased heat production of tumor tissue, this technology can achieve early screening of breast cancer by capturing the small changes of temperature distribution on the surface of breast. Although more clinical validation is needed, the non-invasive and convenient nature of infrared thermography lays the foundation for its wide application in the future. In addition, with the integration and application of artificial intelligence, big data and other technologies, the accuracy and intelligence level of medical imaging in breast cancer diagnosis will continue to improve. The medical imaging diagnosis of breast cancer is a multi-modality and multi-technology comprehensive system, and various examination methods have their own merits and complement each other. Through the rational use of mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI and the emerging infrared thermal imaging technology, combined with clinical information of patients, we can achieve early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment of breast cancer. In the future, with the continuous innovation and development of medical imaging technology, the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer will be more precise and personalized, bringing greater well-being to patients.