Study of tissue compression in breast phantoms: possible implications for the use of X-ray mammography as a method of imaging breast carcinoma.

A method is described of constructing a simple phantom breast containing an idealised tumour with elastic properties. The transparent tissues are compressed and evidence is adduced to show that with tissue compression the tumour boundary is subjected to a degree of strain the magnitude of which is dependent on the degree of deformation. Excessive compression can lead to fracture of the tumour. A literature survey reveals that malignant tissues are more delicate than normal tissues. The study underlines the need for care when using X-ray mammography with compression to image a cancer bearing breast, in order to avoid disseminating cancer cells via the circulation.