Breast thermography uses digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI)

Digital infrared thermal imaging in health care

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging is a diagnostic technique that is non-invasive and involves no exposure to radiation. During an exam, a DITI camera is used to capture images, called thermograms...

 to make diagnostic-quality images of the breasts’ radiant infrared energy for the detection of cancer.

While preliminary research has shown promise in using thermography for breast cancer screening

Breast cancer screening

Breast cancer screening refers to the medical screening of asymptomatic, apparently healthy women for breast cancer in an attempt to achieve an earlier diagnosis. The assumption is that early detection will improve outcomes...

 further research is required to determine its full potential. The Food and Drug Administration

Food and Drug Administration

The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...

 however states that it is not a substitute for mammography. Enthusiasts view it however as an adjunct.

Terminology

The etymology of the word Infrared is: L, infra, below + AS, read, red of “below the red” describing a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths between one micrometer and one millimeter, that is perceived as heat. These wavelengths are longer than those of visible light but shorter than those of microwaves or radiowaves.

The etymology of the word Mammography is: L, mamma, breast + GK, gamma, record or “breast image”. This term has come to be used to describe an X-ray image of the breast but is more correctly used in medical parlance in conjunction with imaging modalities used to derive diagnostic breast images, such as MRI Mammogram, Ultrasound Mammogram, etc.

Principles

Thermology

Thermology

Thermography or Thermology is the medical science that derives diagnostic indications from highly detailed and sensitive infrared images of the human body. Thermology is sometimes referred to as medical infrared imaging or tele-thermology and utilizes highly resolute and sensitive infrared cameras...

 is the medical science that derives diagnostic indications from diagnostic-quality infrared images of the human body by the use of highly-resolute and sensitive infrared (thermographic) cameras. Breast thermography utilizes the principles of thermology as a diagnostic technique in the early detection of breast cancer in a clinical setting or as a monitor of its treatment. Breast thermography is completely non-contact and imparts no form of radiation energy onto or into the body.

History

Thermography was first used as a screening tool for breast cancer in 1956. In 1982, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) listed thermography as a diagnostic technique for breast cancer and reaffirmed that position again in 2005.

See also

• Infrared and thermal testing
  Infrared and thermal testing
  Infrared and thermal testing is one of many Nondestructive testing techniques designated by the American Society for Nondestructive Testing . Infrared Thermography is the science of measuring and mapping surface temperatures....
  
  
• Infrared camera
• Infrared detector
  Infrared detector
  An infrared detector is a photodetector that reacts to infrared radiation. The two main types of detectors are thermal and photonic.The thermal effects of the incident IR radiation can be followed through many temperature dependent phenomena....
  
  
• Infrared thermometer
  Infrared thermometer
  Infrared thermometers infer temperature using a portion of the thermal radiation sometimes called blackbody radiation emitted by the object of measurement. They are sometimes called laser thermometers if a laser is used to help aim the thermometer, or non-contact thermometers to describe the...
  
  
• Night vision
  Night vision
  Night vision is the ability to see in low light conditions. Whether by biological or technological means, night vision is made possible by a combination of two approaches: sufficient spectral range, and sufficient intensity range...
  
  
• Thermal imaging camera
  Thermal imaging camera
  A Thermal Imaging Camera is a type of thermographic camera used in firefighting. By rendering infrared radiation as visible light, such cameras allow firefighters to see areas of heat through smoke, darkness, or heat-permeable barriers. Thermal imaging cameras are typically handheld, but may be...
  
  
• Thermographic inspection
  Thermographic inspection
  Thermographic inspection refers to the nondestructive testing of parts, materials or systems through the imaging of the thermal patterns at the object's surface. Strictly speaking, the term thermography alone, refers to all thermographic inspection techniques regardless of the physical phenomena...
  
  
• ASTM Subcommittee E20.02 on Radiation Thermometry
  ASTM Subcommittee E20.02 on Radiation Thermometry
  The ASTM Subcommittee E20.02 on Radiation Thermometry is a subcommittee of the ASTM Committee E20 on Temperature Measurement, a committee of ASTM International. The subcommittee is responsible for standards relating to radiation or infrared temperature measurement...
  
  

External links

• Learn more about thermal imaging from Fluke
• Good examples of FLIR thermographic images broken down by industry application
• Infrared Medical Solutions - The application of thermography in early stage breast cancer risk assessment.
• Physical basics
• Uncooled Thermal Imaging
• Canada Research Chair in Multipolar Infrared Vision – MiViM
• Medical Infrared Imaging - Online resource for medical imaging including images, news, and discussion