An overview of microwave imaging for breast tumor detection

Abstract

Microwave imaging (MWI) is a non-ionizing, non-invasive and an upcoming affordable medical imaging modality. Over the last few decades, MWI has invited active research towards biomedical imaging, with special focus on breast tumor detection. After long years of intense research and clinical trials, a breast tumour monitoring unit based on MWI is finally entering clinical imaging scenarios. In this manuscript, the vast literature in MWI to date has been consolidated, and an indetail study of the state-of-the-art for breast tumor detection has been presented. The hurdles faced during clinical trials are discussed, and their possible solutions and future directions for a fast transition into clinical imaging have been presented. It is hoped that this paper can serve as a guide for MWI researchers and practitioners, especially those new to the field to comprehend the potential of MWI as a viable imaging tool for breast imaging.