Advancing Breast Cancer Detection: Embedding Nanoparticles into Breast Phantoms for Diagnostic Applications

Abstract

In this study, a single-layer homogeneous breast tumor phantom was developed to simulate the diagnostic properties of malignant breast tissue, with the aim of enhancing breast cancer detection and diagnostic accuracy. The tumor-mimicking phantom was fabricated using an optimized gelatin-based hydrogel, incorporating additives such as NaCl, PVA, glycerin, agar, ethanol, and PEG to reproduce the physical consistency and imaging characteristics of tumor tissue. Silver oxide (Ag₂O) and iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were synthesized using controlled chemical methods and characterized using FTIR, XRD, and SEM to confirm their chemical composition, crystalline structure, and surface morphology, ensuring their suitability for diagnostic imaging applications. The nanoparticles were uniformly incorporated into the tumor phantom through a premixing approach, resulting in a homogeneous distribution that simulates nanoparticle-enhanced tumor tissue. The fabricated tumor phantoms were evaluated using computed tomography (CT) to assess their effectiveness in breast cancer detection. CT imaging demonstrated increased Hounsfield Unit values due to the high atomic number of silvers in Ag₂O nanoparticles, leading to enhanced X-ray attenuation, while MRI scans revealed clear signal suppression and contrast variation in Fe₃O₄- loaded phantoms owing to their superparamagnetic properties. The results confirm that the developed single-layer homogeneous tumor phantom provides a reliable and reproducible model for evaluating nanoparticle-assisted breast cancer detection and precise diagnosis, offering a simplified yet effective platform for imaging system calibration, contrast agent assessment, and preclinical diagnostic studies.