Using photoacoustic imaging to examine breast tissue in cancer patients and healthy individuals

Photoacoustic Imaging of Human Breast

Not applicable Interventional Roswell Park Cancer Institute · NCT03897270

This study is testing a new imaging technique that uses light and sound to see if it can help tell the difference between healthy breast tissue and cancer in women.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment400 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorRoswell Park Cancer Institute Academic / other
Locations1 site (Buffalo, New York)
Trial IDNCT03897270 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This trial investigates the use of photoacoustic imaging to analyze breast tissue in women with breast cancer and healthy subjects. The primary objective is to identify specific photoacoustic features that indicate breast malignancy and assess treatment responses. Participants will undergo imaging sessions lasting 30 minutes, with the option to repeat the procedure up to ten times on separate days. This innovative approach combines light and sound to enhance the understanding of breast tissue characteristics, particularly in dense breasts where traditional mammography may be less effective.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include women with clinically suspicious or confirmed breast cancer masses who have not undergone surgical removal and have had breast MRI.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, have had recent breast implants or lumpectomy, or are unable to provide consent will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve the accuracy of breast cancer detection and monitoring, particularly in women with dense breast tissue.

How similar studies have performed: While photoacoustic imaging is a relatively novel approach in breast cancer diagnostics, similar imaging techniques have shown promise in other areas of medical imaging.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Women with clinically suspicious or confirmed breast cancer masses (that have not been surgically removed) and will/have already undergo/undergone breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant women (there are no known risks to these procedures, but any unforeseen risks are as yet undetermined, so pregnant women will be excluded by means of a verbal confirmation at time of screening).
* Women who have had breast implants in the previous 6 months.
* Women who have had lumpectomy
* Adults unable to consent.
* Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers).
* Pregnant women.
* Prisoners.
* There is no direct benefit of the study to any subject either non-English or English speaker. To facilitate the consent process, we will exclude non-English speaking subjects.

Where this trial is running

Buffalo, New York

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Breast CarcinomaHealthy Subject
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.