Simulation and clinical validation of the breast temperature field based on a multi-point heat source model

To investigate the relationship between cell metabolism heat production and breast diseases, and to differentiate the benign and malignant nature of breast tumors based on this foundation, this study established a refined three-dimensional model of the breast suitable for analyzing the temperature field of the breast, based on the anatomical structure and physiological characteristics of the breast, using the Pennes bio-heat transfer equation. Compared to traditional breast models, this model closely approximates the physiological structure of the breast, thereby enabling a more accurate simulation of the temperature distribution within the breast for both normal and embedded tumors. This study obtains the heat production of the corresponding position of the lesion area in patients with breast tumors through the multi-point heat source model. The heat production is embedded in the breast model containing the tumor. Then, the temperature field analysis is conducted on the normal breast model and the breast model with malignant and benign tumors. Finally, the obtained temperature values are compared. The analysis reveals that the temperature values in the malignant tumor regions are higher than those in the benign tumor regions. Furthermore, based on the distribution of temperature fields, tumor sizes are estimated and compared with those observed in ultrasound images, demonstrating a close correspondence between the results. Therefore, this paper provides an essential novel analytical approach for distinguishing between benign and malignant breast cancer.