Thermal tomography for monitoring tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in women with locally advanced breast cancer

BACKGROUND & AIMS: This study aims to analyze the feasibility and predictive value of thermal tomography (TT) for monitoring early treatment response in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). METHODS: Patients with LABC who were due to receive six cycles of NAC were examined by TT prior to NAC, the second cycle of NAC, the fourth cycle of NAC and surgery. Changes in TT parameters and ultrasonography were correlated with pathologic response to NAC, and the predictive value was assessed. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were evaluable for response (25 pathologic responders and 19 nonresponders). As early as after the first cycle of NAC, changes in the TT parameters ΔTs, ΔTn, and ΔTa correlated significantly with pathologic response (P < 0.05). The best predictor of pathologic response after the 6th cycle of NAC was TT (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.794), as opposed to cross-sectional areas and the longest diameter by ultrasonography. CONCLUSIONS: TT allows for monitoring early tumor response to NAC and can predict pathologic response in the early stages of therapy. Therefore, TT could be used as a novel imaging modality to monitor NAC treatment.