A Computational Analysis of 3D Breast Tissue Model to Simulate Thermal Effects and Tissue Damage due to Microwave Ablation

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and significantly impacts both the physical and mental health of women. However, there are many methods of cancer treatment, and one popular method is microwave ablation. Microwave ablation is a cancer treatment that uses microwave energy to treat cancer cells, by delivering microwave energy through an antenna to the target tissue. Microwave energy generates heat, which destroys the cancer cells. The temperature that can destroy cancer cells is over 50 °C. However, the microwave ablation treatment of breast cancer has ethical limitations. This study examines the use of microwave energy for breast cancer treatment with computer simulation by finite element method (FEM). The mathematical model that describes the electromagnetic wave propagation within the breast tissue with Maxwell's equation and the heat generated in the breast tissue from the electromagnetic wave is described by Bioheat equation. This study investigates the effects of the types of microwave antennas, microwave powers, and microwave frequencies for 5 min during microwave ablation. The results show that the ability to destroy cancerous tissue in the breast tissue depends on the types of microwave antennas, microwave powers, and microwave frequencies used. The case with the highest damaged volume in breast tissue is the case of using a double slot microwave antenna, microwave power of 20 W, and microwave frequency of 1800 MHz. The findings from this study can be further developed for microwave ablation treatment in other organs.