Preliminary results of a pilot study into the diagnostic value of T scan in detecting breast malignancies

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Research into the electrical impedance of tissues has demonstrated a spread of dielectric data from tumour tissue, suggesting structural inhomogeneities. Correlations have been found that may aid in the detection of breast carcinoma. The T scan measures these changes. This study reports on the results, when used in a clinical setting.

Twenty-seven women, mean age 50 years, referred from a symptomatic clinic, volunteered to have additional T scanning. The results from all imaging modalities were compared and correlated with cytology or histology.

Patients under 35 years old did not have mammography; all patients had ultrasound. The T scan agreed with the other imaging modalities in 18 cases, giving a bright signal in malignancy and no signal when there was no abnormality or a benign condition (14 true-positives, four true-negatives).

There were three false-positives, a fat necrosis, a simple cyst and a normal breast; four indeterminates, a pale signal for a 14-mm complex cyst (C2), a 40-mm carcinoma (B5), a 16-mm malignancy (B5), and a 15-mm malignancy (C5); two false-negatives, a 15-mm malignancy (B5) and an 8-mm malignancy (R5, U5).

The T scan demonstrated a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 57% excluding indeterminates. This study is ongoing.