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Abstract

Grant Number:	1R43CA101241-01
PI Name:	KLINE-SCHODER, ROBERT J.
PI Email:	rjk@creare.com
PI Title:
Project Title:	MR Elastrography for Breast Cancer Detection

Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Early diagnosis, which is critical for favorable clinical outcomes, is complicated by the difficulty of detecting small tumors. One physical property that clearly distinguishes healthy from cancerous tissue is mechanical stiffness (hardness). For this reason, palpation has long been used for early screening. Researchers have attempted to combine external mechanical stimulation and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to quantitatively measure the Young's modulus (i.e., stiffness) of tissue throughout both the breast and the prostate. This technique, Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE), has been called "palpation at a distance." The most challenging technical issue associated with MRE is the solution of the "inverse problem," i.e., quantitatively inferring Young's modulus from MRI-measured tissue displacement data. The specific aim of this project is to develop methods and devices for enhancing breast cancer detection and diagnosis using MRE. To achieve this aim, we will develop analytical solution techniques to improve the efficiency and robustness of the inverse problem solution and design and implement a realistic clinical system.

Thesaurus Terms:
breast neoplasm /cancer diagnosis, diagnosis design /evaluation, elasticity, magnetic resonance imaging
mathematical model, technology /technique development
bioimaging /biomedical imaging

Institution:	CREARE, INC.
	BOX 71, ETNA RD
	HANOVER, NH 03755
Fiscal Year:	2003
Department:
Project Start:	01-AUG-2003
Project End:	31-JAN-2004
ICD:	NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
IRG:	ZRG1

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