Characterization Of Digital Mammograms: A Preliminary Assessment

摘要

Studies indicate that radiographic density reduces sensibility of mammography, and typical alterations, such as masses or microcalcifications, are disguised by fibroglandular (radio-opaque) tissue superposition. We present a work focused on the statistical study of digital mammographic images of patients from the Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia. Selected images were radiological studies evaluated as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 4 or 5, meaning "probably malign" or "malign" findings, respectively. All patients were submitted to a biopsy procedure after the image was taken. The study group consists of patients diagnosed with cancer, while the control group includes those without cancer. We propose to analyze textural roughness measurements such as mean height-width ratio of extrema (MHWRE). Preliminary results suggest that this textural feature might be used as an additional tool to detect breast cancer.