Finding hidden breast cancer in women with dense breasts using 3D mammography
Detecting Mammographically-Occult Cancer in Women with Dense Breasts Using Digital Breast Tomosynthesis
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11245766
This work applies a new image-processing method to 3D mammograms (DBT) to help spot cancers that standard screening can miss in women with dense breast tissue.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11245766 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
As someone with dense breasts, this project would use your routine 3D screening images (digital breast tomosynthesis, DBT) and a novel math-based image transform called the Radon Cumulative Distribution Transform (RCDT) to look for subtle left-right asymmetries that might signal a hidden cancer. The team previously got good accuracy using RCDT on standard mammograms and now plans to create and test imaging biomarkers specifically for DBT. The goal is to identify mammographically-occult cancers while reducing unnecessary additional tests and biopsies. Work will be done at the University of Pittsburgh using screening DBT images from women with dense breasts.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are women with dense breast tissue who are undergoing routine screening with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) at participating clinics.
Not a fit: Women without dense breasts, those already diagnosed with breast cancer, or people not receiving DBT screening are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the method could find cancers earlier in women with dense breasts and help guide who should get additional screening while potentially lowering unnecessary biopsies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work applying the RCDT to standard 2D mammograms showed promising accuracy (area under the ROC curve ~0.81), but applying it to DBT is a newer step.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LEE, JUHUN — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: LEE, JUHUN
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Detection, Breast Cancer Risk Factor