title: Semi-automated delineation of breast cancer tumors and subsequent materialization using three-dimensional printing (rapid prototyping).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Three-dimensional (3D) printing has become widely available, and a few cases of its use in clinical practice have been described. The aim of this study was to explore facilities for the semi-automated delineation of breast cancer tumors and to assess the feasibility of 3D printing of breast cancer tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a case series of five patients, different 3D imaging methods-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), and 3D ultrasound-were used to capture 3D data for breast cancer tumors. The volumes of the breast tumors were calculated to assess the comparability of the breast tumor models, and the MRI information was used to render models on a commercially available 3D printer to materialize the tumors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The tumor volumes calculated from the different 3D methods appeared to be comparable. Tumor models with volumes between 325 mm3and 7,770 mm3were printed and compared with the models rendered from MRI. The materialization of the tumors reflected the computer models of them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D printing (rapid prototyping) appears to be feasible. Scenarios for the clinical use of the technology might include presenting the model to the surgeon to provide a better understanding of the tumor's spatial characteristics in the breast, in order to improve decision-making in relation to neoadjuvant chemotherapy or surgical approaches. J. Surg. Oncol. 2017;115:238-242. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Rüdiger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schulz-Wendtland
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer-Institut für Bildgestützte Medizin MEVIS, Bremen, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meier-Meitinger
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brehm
authors.affiliation: Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Till
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wacker
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer-Institut für Bildgestützte Medizin MEVIS, Bremen, Germany.
authors.forename: Horst K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer-Institut für Integrierte Schaltungen IIS, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer-Institut für Integrierte Schaltungen IIS, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wittenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Erlangen University Hospital, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Beckmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uder
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Erlangen University Hospital, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Fasching
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Erlangen University Hospital, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Julius
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Emons
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001331:Automation; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods
keywords: 3D; breast cancer; surgery; three-dimensional printing