Mathematical and Computational Challenges in Shear Stiffness Imaging of Tissue: Can cancerous and benign lesions be distinguished?

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Joyce McLaughlin, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Fine Hall 214

For centuries doctors have palpated tissue to detect abnormalities. We target imaging the stiffness the doctor feels in the palpation exam, including imaging deeper than what can be felt in this exam and distinguishing between benign and cancerous lesions. Current applications include breast and prostate cancer. Current experimentalists with whom we collaborate are: Dr. Richard Ehman, Mayo Clinic; Mathias Fink, ESPCI, Paris; and Dr. Kevin Parker at the University of Rochester. We describe the challenges and opportunities for imaging, including mathematical modeling and algorithmic development, with the data from the individual experiments