Microwave Radiometry |
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Microwave
Radiometry
Microwave Radiometry is based on measuring
the intensity of natural electromagnetic radiation from a patient's tissue
at microwave frequencies. This intensity is proportional to the temperature
of tissue. The change in temperature (thermal abnormality), that is a
basis of earlier detection of breast cancer, may be caused by increased
cancer cell metabolism.
It should be noted that thermal changes precede
to the anatomical changes that can be detected by traditional methods
such as ultrasound, mammography and palpation. Thus microwave radiometry
is a very promising method for the breast cancer detection at an earlier
stage.
Basis
of Microwave Radiometry
Microwave Radiometry is based on measuring
the intensity of natural electromagnetic radiation from a patient's tissue
at microwave frequencies.
This intensity is proportional to the temperature
of tissue. So we can say that microwave radiometry allows one to measure
the internal temperature and display it on the monitor.
Difference
between Microwave Radiometry and Infrared Thermography
The main difference between
well known infrared thermography and microwave radiometry is that the
former allows to read and display the skin temperature, when the latter
indicates the internal temperature.
Advantages
of Microwave Radiometry
1. Non-hazardous
Microwave Radiometry is non-hazardous both
to the patients and to the personnel taking the thermograms, as during
the examination the intensity of natural electromagnetic radiation from
the patient's tissue is measured.
2. Non-invasive
Temperature is measured non-invasively.
3. Earlier detection of
diseases
Thermal changes precede to the anatomical
changes that can be detected by traditional methods such as ultrasound,
mammography and palpation. Thus microwave radiometry is a very promising
method for the breast cancer detection at an earlier stage.
4. Detection of fast growing
tumors
The specific heat generation in the tumor
is proportional to the grow rate of the tumor. So fast growing tumors
are "hotter" and they are more contrast in thermograms. Thus
microwave radiometry is an unique method that allows to detect first of
all fast growing tumors. Using microwave radiometry (RTM-Diagnosis) in
conjunction with other tradition methods allows to select patients with
fast growing tumors.
5. Ability to detect patients
with increased proliferative activity of cells
The important feature of the microwave radiometry
is that it can distinguish proliferative mastopathy and fibroadenoma from
non-proliferative mastopathy and fibroadenoma. So the method allows to
select patients who risk to have breast cancer.
6. Ability to monitor
treatment
Microwave Radiometry is non-hazardous both
to the patients and to the personnel taking the thermograms, so it can
be effectively used for the monitoring of the treatment.
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Temperature
field of a 49-year-old patient Mastitis of the right breast,
before treatment (01.04.97.)
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| The
same, after the treatment (30.04.97.) |
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