Thermal and Microwave Constrained Focusing for Patient-Specific Breast Cancer Hyperthermia: A Robustness Assessment

• Published in: IEEE transactions on antennas and propagation Vol. 62; no. 2; pp. 814 - 821
• Main Authors: Iero, Domenica A. M., Crocco, Lorenzo, Isernia, Tommaso
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.02.2014; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Antennas; Applied classical electromagnetism; Applied sciences; Array synthesis; Arrays; Breast; Cancer; Electromagnetic wave propagation, radiowave propagation; Electromagnetics; Electromagnetism; electron and ion optics; Exact sciences and technology; Focusing; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Guidelines; Hyperthermia; Microwaves; Organization and planning of networks (techniques and equipments); Phantoms; phased arrays; Physics; Radiocommunications; Robustness; Strategy; Systems, networks and services of telecommunications; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Tumors; Performance evaluation; Electromagnetism; Breast disease; Thermal behavior; focusing; Array synthesis; Accuracy; phased arrays; Antenna phased arrays; Robustness; Planning; Hyperthermia; Antenna synthesis; Cancer
• ISSN: 0018-926X; 1558-2221
• DOI: 10.1109/TAP.2013.2293336

In this paper, we address the problem of microwave hyperthermia. In particular, we first introduce simple tools to understand the relationship between thermal and electromagnetic power focusing. Then, we assess the electromagnetic and thermal performances of a recently proposed strategy to design array applicators. Contrary to common approaches, such a strategy allows a punctual control of power deposition, which is crucial for effective treatment planning. With respect to breast cancer hyperthermia, we analyze the robustness of the strategy against inaccuracies based on the knowledge of the scenario, in a quantitative manner. This analysis allows us to draw useful guidelines on the accuracy of patient-specific information required to guarantee the effectiveness of treatment.