Advances in microwave ablation antennas for breast tumor treatment

In contrast to other types of cancer, breast cancer remains a relatively unexplored target for microwave ablation (MWA) technology. We highlight two recent developments towards the clinical realization of MWA for breast tumor treatment: the design of miniaturized MWA antennas that achieve compact heating patterns without the use of a balun and the investigation of microwave-induced heating in the heterogeneous tissue environment of the breast. Our electromagnetic and thermal simulation results using 3D MRI-derived breast phantoms as testbeds show the potential of MWA as a viable minimally invasive modality for treating breast cancer.