An Overview of Microwave Imaging towards for Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women worldwide. Digital Mammography is considered as the "gold standard" in the evaluation of the breast cancer in the form of an imaging perspective. Apart from mammography, ultrasound examination, magnetic resonance imaging and microwave imaging techniques are being offered as adjuncts to the preoperative workup. However, there is still controversy over the most appropriate use of these new modalities. This review paper concentrates mainly on the evaluation of microwave techniques in the screening and diagnosis of breast cancer and in the medical field. It reviews the current applications and future potential of microwave imaging methods. This report gives an overview of the old and new modalities used in the field of breast imaging based on relevant literatures. It shows clearly that though various new techniques and methods have emerged, none have substituted mammography. Last two decades, medical imaging applications on microwaves has been developed. The emerging ultra wide band microwave (UWB) imaging gives better result with the advantages of non-ionizing, comfortable, sensitive to tumors and specific to malignancies. In microwave imaging techniques recently hybrid microwave induced acoustic imaging is developed, ultra wide band radar based imaging and microwave tomography are also being offered.