Micro-CT scan revolutionizing breast cancer surgery

Micro-CT: Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Surgery with 3D Precision

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how micro-computed tomography enhances margin assessment during breast conserving surgery, minimizing re-excision rates and improving patient outcomes."

Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is a cornerstone in treating early-stage breast cancer, offering similar survival rates to mastectomy but with less extensive surgery. However, a significant challenge remains: ensuring that all cancer cells are removed during the initial surgery. When the surgical margins—the edges of the removed tissue—test positive for cancer, patients often need a second surgery, leading to increased anxiety and healthcare costs.

A groundbreaking imaging technique called micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is emerging as a powerful tool to tackle this problem. Unlike traditional methods, micro-CT provides detailed, three-dimensional (3D) views of breast tissue specimens, allowing surgeons to assess the margins more precisely. The technology has the potential to transform how surgeons approach breast cancer removal, reducing the need for additional surgeries.

This article will explore how micro-CT works, its potential advantages, and the latest research supporting its use. We will delve into a recent study that investigated the feasibility and value of micro-CT in surgical margin assessment, highlighting its ability to improve outcomes for individuals undergoing breast-conserving surgery.

What is Micro-Computed Tomography and How Does It Improve Breast Cancer Margin Assessment?

Micro-CT scan revolutionizing breast cancer surgery

Micro-CT is an advanced imaging technique that creates high-resolution, three-dimensional images of small structures. It uses X-rays to capture cross-sectional images of a specimen from multiple angles. These images are then digitally reconstructed to create a detailed 3D view. In the context of breast cancer surgery, micro-CT is used to examine the tissue removed during BCS, providing surgeons with a comprehensive view of the surgical margins.

Traditional methods for assessing surgical margins often involve two-dimensional (2D) specimen radiography. While helpful, these methods have limitations:

Limited View: 2D imaging only provides a single projection, making it difficult to assess the entire surface of the specimen.
Overlapping Structures: Overlapping tissue can obscure cancerous cells, leading to inaccurate margin assessment.
Incomplete Information: Traditional methods may not capture the full extent of tumor involvement, especially in complex cases.

Micro-CT addresses these limitations by offering several key advantages:

3D Visualization: Provides a comprehensive view of the entire specimen, allowing for more accurate margin assessment.
Improved Spatial Resolution: High-resolution images enable the detection of small cancerous areas that may be missed by traditional methods.
Reduced Re-excision Rates: By providing more precise margin assessment, micro-CT can help surgeons remove all cancer cells during the initial surgery, reducing the need for repeat surgeries.

The Future of Micro-CT in Breast Cancer Treatment

Micro-CT holds great promise for revolutionizing breast cancer surgery by providing surgeons with a more accurate and comprehensive tool for margin assessment. Ongoing research and technological advancements are expected to further refine the technology, making it an indispensable part of the breast cancer treatment landscape. As micro-CT becomes more widely adopted, individuals undergoing breast-conserving surgery can look forward to improved outcomes and a reduced risk of repeat surgeries, marking a significant step forward in the fight against breast cancer.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s10549-018-4951-3, Alternate LINK

Title: Micro-Computed Tomography Enables Rapid Surgical Margin Assessment During Breast Conserving Surgery (Bcs): Correlation Of Whole Bcs Micro-Ct Readings To Final Histopathology

Subject: Cancer Research

Journal: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: David M. Mcclatchy, Rebecca A. Zuurbier, Wendy A. Wells, Keith D. Paulsen, Brian W. Pogue

Published: 2018-09-17

Everything You Need To Know

What is micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and how does it work?

Micro-CT is an advanced imaging technique that generates high-resolution, three-dimensional (3D) images of small structures. The process involves using X-rays to capture cross-sectional images of a specimen from various angles. These images are then digitally reconstructed to create a detailed 3D view. In the context of breast cancer surgery, micro-CT is used to examine the tissue removed during breast-conserving surgery (BCS), allowing surgeons a comprehensive view of the surgical margins.

How does micro-CT improve surgical margin assessment compared to traditional methods?

Micro-CT offers several advantages over traditional methods. Firstly, it provides a comprehensive 3D visualization of the entire specimen, unlike 2D imaging. This allows for more accurate margin assessment. Secondly, micro-CT provides improved spatial resolution, allowing for the detection of small cancerous areas that might be missed by traditional methods. Lastly, by providing more precise margin assessment, micro-CT can help surgeons remove all cancer cells during the initial surgery, potentially reducing the need for re-excision.

Why is assessing surgical margins crucial in breast-conserving surgery (BCS)?

Assessing surgical margins is crucial in breast-conserving surgery (BCS) to ensure that all cancer cells are removed during the initial surgery. If the surgical margins—the edges of the removed tissue—test positive for cancer, it often necessitates a second surgery. This can lead to increased patient anxiety and higher healthcare costs. Micro-CT's ability to provide more precise margin assessment can help reduce these occurrences.

What are the potential benefits of using micro-CT for patients undergoing breast cancer surgery?

The use of micro-CT in breast cancer surgery holds several potential benefits for patients. Primarily, it can reduce the need for repeat surgeries by providing surgeons with a more accurate tool for margin assessment. This leads to improved outcomes and less invasive treatments. Moreover, micro-CT allows for more precise identification of cancerous areas, leading to more effective cancer removal during the initial surgery. As micro-CT becomes more widely adopted, patients undergoing BCS can look forward to a reduced risk of repeat surgeries and improved overall care.

How does micro-CT address the limitations of traditional methods like 2D specimen radiography?

Micro-CT addresses the limitations of traditional methods like 2D specimen radiography by providing a comprehensive 3D view of the tissue specimen. Unlike 2D imaging, which only provides a single projection, micro-CT offers a detailed three-dimensional perspective. This overcomes issues of overlapping structures and allows for a more accurate assessment of the surgical margins. Additionally, the high-resolution images provided by micro-CT enable the detection of small cancerous areas that may be missed by 2D imaging, leading to improved precision and patient outcomes in breast cancer surgery.