A software tool based on the Surface Evolver for precise location of tumours as a preoperative procedure to partial mastectomy

摘要

We present a fast and reliable program that gives precise location of breast tumours for a partial mastectomy. Our program is fully implemented in the Surface Evolver, which is a general-purpose simulator of physical experiments. By starting from the mammograms that show a tumour one takes its 2D coordinates in each view (CC and MLO). These coordinates, together with some measurements of the patient's breast, are given as input to our simulator. From this point on the simulator reproduces all main steps of taking mammography with a virtual transparent breast that matches the patient's. The virtual mammography procedure is graphically displayed on the computer screen, so that users can track the virtual tumour inside the breast. As output we have the coordinates of the tumour position when the woman lies on the operating table for the surgery. With these coordinates the surgeon can make a small incision into the breast and reach the tumour for its removal. The whole structure of the breast is preserved after a simple plastic correction.