Computational study of thermoacoustic imaging for breast cancer detection using a realistic breast model

The effectiveness of thermoacoustic imaging (TAI) for breast cancer detection is demonstrated by a computational study using a realistic breast model. Carbon nanotubes are applied as contrast agents to enhance the detectability of breast tumors. Differential imaging is performed to visualize the tumor. The position, dimension and morphology of the tumor are all reliably reconstructed in the differential image. This work provides a sub-stantial evidence of the advantages of TAI as a potential breast cancer detection modality.