Thermography in breast cancer diagnosis, screening and risk assessment: systematic review

Abstract

SUMMARY Thermography uses the pattern of heat measured on the skin surface to image the breast. This review examines the evidence regarding thermography for breast cancer screening, diagnosis and risk prediction. A systematic literature search was conducted and qualitative and quantitative data were extracted and summarized. Seventeen studies (nonrandomized trials) met the inclusion criteria. Four studies reported thermography accuracy for screening (60,802 women): median sensitivity was 47% (range 25–70%) and the median false-positive rate was 31% (range 21–38%). Twelve studies reported thermography accuracy (9887 women) in the context of a known clinical or mammographic abnormality: median sensitivity was 59% (range 25–97%). Two studies found no association between abnormal thermography and an increased 5-year risk of developing breast cancer. The sensitivity of thermography in breast cancer detection is low and the evidence does not support thermography as an alternative to screening mammography or for the investigation of symptoms.