Automated 3D Doppler Ultrasound Imaging for Comprehensive Breast Lesion Assessment

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in

women worldwide. There are two million diagnoses

and 685,000 deaths annually. Early diagnosis is critical

to reducing mortality. Although screening with

mammography has been shown to have reduced breast

cancer-related mortality through early detection,

dense breast tissues reduce mammographic sensitivity,

potentially delaying diagnoses and contributing to

poorer outcomes. Therefore, there is a need for more

accessible and cost-effective supplemental screening

technologies, especially for high-risk populations and

women with dense breasts. To address these

challenges, a promising approach involves combining

widely available, cost-effective, and accessible

ultrasound-based technologies with economical

hardware, software modules, and automated

techniques. Among these technologies, Doppler

imaging plays a crucial role in the clinical evaluation

of breast abnormalities, as intratumoural blood flow

has been shown to correlate with the aggressiveness

and histological grade of the tumour. The development

of a novel automated, portable, and patient-dedicated

3D automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) system for

point-of-care breast cancer supplemental screening

holds significant promise. The proposed system has

previously demonstrated the capability to generate

accurate whole-breast B-mode images, which can aid

in the early detection of breast cancer in women with

dense breasts. Additionally, it offers the advantage of

incorporating Doppler imaging to assess blood flow

within suspicious lesions, a capability not commonly

available with commercial ABUS systems. By

leveraging Doppler imaging in conjunction with 3D B-

mode ABUS, this innovative approach could improve

breast cancer-related health outcomes and equity in

access to healthcare, especially for underserved and

vulnerable populations.