Validation of Cone-Beam CT Measurements of Tumour Burden Using Three-Dimensional Histopathology: Initial Results For a Lumpectomy

Tumour size is an important prognostic indicator in breast cancer. This is typically measured as a simple linear diameter, although tumour volume may be a better surrogate of tumour burden. We have been optimizing techniques for three-dimensional histopathology based on digital scanning light microscopy of whole-mount, whole-specimen serial sections. We apply this to validate tumour volume measurements obtained using specimen cone-beam CT imaging. We demonstrate initial results for this technique using one lumpectomy and then show examples of how this technique can serve as a `gateway' to validating emerging functional and molecular imaging modalities.