Breast cancer detection utilizing biostereometric analysis.

Twelve female patients participated in a study designed to employ computer-assisted biostereometric analysis for the detection of breast masses. All breast masses were previously documented by physical examination and followed by xeromammography, stereophotography, and histopathologic confirmation of tumor type. "Contour mammograms" were produced from the biostereometric photographs. These data were analyzed first for tumor detection and location by visual inspection. A second analysis employed a computed algorithm designed to locate and measure surface aberrations that suggest the possibility of underlying breast tumor. Visual analysis yielded the exact location of breast tumors in eight of the ten malignancies; computer analysis exactly located nine of the ten malignancies. In the computer analysis, one malignancy not exactly located by quadrant was, nevertheless, located in the correct breast. The results of the study suggest that the biostereometric process may have future use in screening or prescreening procedures for breast cancer detection. It is noninvasive, applicable to large numbers of women and with suitable refinements, and capable of being fully automated.