Photoacoustic Imaging (PAI) of Suspicious Breast Cancers - A Clinical Feasibility Study

Pilot Photoacoustic Imaging (PAI) of Suspicious Breast Cancers - A Clinical Feasibility Study

After locating the suspicious lesion/mass with standard of care mammography and/or ultrasound, a photoacoustic scan will be performed in the breast where the lesion is located. After the PA scan a biopsy will be performed, if clinically indicated (based on the mammogram and ultrasound only).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients must have a breast lesion/mass found at physical examination, mammography or ultrasound (US), that has not been surgically resected

• Patients may have any of the following characteristics:

  • Taking hormones (e.g., contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, post-cancer Tamoxifen)
  • Breast implants
  • Previous breast biopsy
  • Previous breast surgery
  • Previous breast cancer
  • High risk of breast cancer (e.g., breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA) mutations, other gynecologic cancer)

• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who have had primary surgical excision of the suspicious finding
• Pregnant or lactating women