The Biomechanics of the Fibrocystic Breasts at Finite Compressive Deformation

Abstract

The deformation of the human breast, especially that of the female, under variable pressure conditions, has been a recent focus for researchers, both in the computational biomechanics, computational biology and the health sector. When the deformation of the breast is large, it hampers suitable cyst tracing as a mammographic biopsy precontrive data. Finite element methods (FEM) has been instrumental in the currently studied practices to trail nodules dislocation. However, the effect of breast material constitution, especially that of a fibrocystic composition, on the biomechanical response of these nodules has gained less attention. The present study is aimed at developing a finite element fibrocystic breast model within the frame of biosolid mechanics and material hyperelasticity to model the breast deformation at finite strain. The geometry of a healthy stress‐free breast is modelled from a magnetic resonance image (MRI) using tissues deformations measurements and solid modelling technology. Results show that the incompressible Neo-Hookean and Mooney-Rivlin constitutive models can approximate large deformation of a stressed breast. In addition to the areola (i.e. nipple base), the surrounding area of the cyst together with its interface with the breast tissue is the maximum stressed region when the breast is subjected to compressive pressure. This effect can lead to an internal tear of the breast that could degenerate to malignant tissue.