X-ray attenuation measurement of fresh & formalin fixed breast tissue
Research type
Research Study
Full title
X-ray attenuation measurement of fresh & formalin fixed breast tissue
IRAS ID
156693
Contact name
Matthew Wallis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
R&D Department, Addenbrookes Hospital
Research summary
This research aims to collect and compare 'X-Ray attenuation' data on breast tissue that is both fresh and then subsequently fixed in formalin. Accurate data on tissue attenuation is crucial for the development of breast models and cancer models used in virtual clinical trials that do not need large numbers of patients and long term follow up.
This forms part of the UKRC funded OPTIMAM consortium – which aims to optimise existing technology and the adoption of new X-ray technology for detecting breast cancers and thereby to improve the early detection of breast cancers in the NHS Screening Programme.The research will provide measurements of how different breast tissue absorbs X-ray in order to determine absolute values and a range of values of the linear attenuation coefficient. We will use a prototype clinical Philips MicroDose SI mammography system which we have validated in a previous study. This will allow us to refine mathematical models of breast tissue and breast abnormalities.
No patients will be recruited to the study; instead tissue from patients with breast cancer who are undergoing breast surgery and who have consented for their tissue ‘to be used in research’, will be imaged using these new techniques. The study will be carried out a Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation trust. It is hoped to complete the research over the next 12 months.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
14/NI/1077
Date of REC Opinion
20 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion