Understanding Your Thermology Report

Medical thermography is the process of obtaining highly detailed and sensitive infrared images of the human body. The word thermology is the diagnostic analysis of those images by a Board-Certified medical specialist using a scientific method. Thermology is listed by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services as an accepted diagnostic procedure for breast disease. Thermology is derived from more than forty (40) years of extensive clinical development and has a sound basis in medical science. Thermology evaluates tissue function and is distinctly different from tissue structure-based diagnostic methods, such as mammography, MRI and ultrasound. Thermology does not replace these other diagnostic methods but rather they add to thermology's diagnostic value and complement it as part of a comprehensive program. Breast thermology is particularly effective in instances where mammography is compromised; such as in women who are not menopausal, have used hormone replacement therapy (HRT), have glandular or dense breasts, have fibrocystic disease, had prior biopsies, have implants, are pregnant, are lactating or have small or large breasts. Breast thermology has a very high (conservatively 88%) sensitivity identifying the specific tissue changes associated with breast cancer. However, thermology is also less specific in differentiating breast cancer from tissue inflammation, infection or hormone imbalances. The presence of these conditions may cause false-positive findings, especially on initial studies of an individual. Over time and with repeated studies, thermology can usually distinguish non-cancerous conditions from evolving breast cancer. A questionable thermology feature will resolve, demonstrate stability or evolve to reveal thermology features distinctive of breast cancer. False-negative errors are rare and usually a consequence of a latent (resting, non-active) stage in the development of breast cancer. The internationally standardized thermology classification system defines five (5) distinct reporting categories, ranging from TH-1 (normal) through TH-5 (severely abnormal). These numbers DO NOT relate to the classification system used to stage breast cancer.

If your result is TH-1 or TH-1F

TH-1 defines a normal thermogram: a thermal profile of the breasts that do not show any of the thermology features associated with risk for malignant breast disease. If some distinct low-energy patterns are present, this will change the classification to a TH-1F. These patterns are associated with established benign (non-cancerous) cysts and/or fibroadenomas. These conditions often have symptoms of premenstrual tenderness, lumpy texture, masses and even pain. We recommend that you consult with a qualified health professional for these conditions. We also recommend that you have an annual thermology comparative restudy. In some cases more frequent restudies may be indicated by your health practitioner. Be sure to ask for their recommendation on restudy frequency.

Ongoing breast care is a valuable part of your overall health plan and should include review of your breast thermology results with your personal physician. Your physician may learn more about breast thermology by requesting literature from our office or consulting with our staff.

If your result is TH-2 or TH-2F

TH-2 defines a thermal profile of breast features that are essentially uniform, regularly patterned and moderately large blood vessels. These thermal features are frequently associated with benign (non-cancerous) functional changes such as hormone imbalances, particularly estrogen-dominant imbalances that affect the glandular breast tissue. The TH-2 score does not indicate malignant (cancerous) disease. A classification of TH-2F indicates that distinct, low-energy (cold) patterns were identified in your analysis that are associated with benign cystic and/or fibro-adenomas. These conditions often have symptoms of premenstrual tenderness or swelling, lumpy texture, feeling of excessive heaviness in the breast tissue and even breast pain. We recommend that you consult your personal physician to assess the health of your breasts and get treatment for any adverse or uncomfortable conditions. We also recommend an annual thermology comparative restudy to monitor changes in the health of your breasts. In some cases, more frequent restudies may be indicated by your personal physician. Be sure to ask for their recommendation on restudy frequency.

If your result is TH-3

TH-3 defines a profile of unusual breast tissue processes and/or blood vessels. This atypical category is classified TH-3 and is associated with a minor or equivocal (less than 10-20% as specified in your own report) risk of malignant breast disease. It is more likely that these features represent benign (non-cancerous) changes such as inflammation, acute cysts and/or fibroadenoma development, infection or a personal characteristic, especially on an initial study. A thermology restudy in 45 to 180 days (as specified in your own report) provides the data necessary to compare and assess changes in the specific unusual thermology feature. This comparison usually enables the differentiation of benign conditions from malignant disease. Please be sure to review your thermology report with your personal physician and discuss a prudent course of action. Depending on familial or personal risk factors, physical examination and intangible concerns; that course of action may range from watchful waiting to prompt additional testing with other methods of evaluation. A personal commitment to vigilant follow-up is necessary as an unusual thermology feature can precede abnormal results from other means of testing by 5-8 years. Clinical experience has determined that targeted ultrasound is the most effective means of follow-up to an atypical thermology study. Your physician may learn more about breast thermology by requesting literature from our office or consulting with our staff.

Ongoing breast care is an essential part of your overall health plan including:

Consult with your personal physician and obtain a physical examination of your breasts.
Consult with your personal physician and together determine a plan for comprehensive evaluation, such as to include targeted ultrasound examination, MRI and/or mammography.
Schedule a thermology restudy according to the schedule recommended in your thermology report.

If your result is TH-3L or TH-3M

TH-3L or TH-3M defines a thermology profile of unusual tissue processes and/or blood vessels that are consistent with but not indicative of persistent or reoccurring breast cancer. The 'L' designates Lumpectomy and 'M' designates Mastectomy. Surgical procedures typically produce significant edema, nerve and blood vessel damage as well as altered tissue metabolism that will greatly alter the thermology features and substantially limit its value at least three (3) months. Radiation treatments typically cause another type of blood vessel and nerve damage as well as altered tissue metabolism that will affect the thermology features and diminish its value much longer. However, repeat studies that compare the initial and subsequent thermology features over time provide a useful means of monitoring the post-surgical woman for changes indicative of persistent or recurrent malignant disease, especially in the underarm areas. It is most likely that unusual thermology features that do not change over time represent benign (non-cancerous) conditions that are a consequence of the surgical procedure(s) or radiation treatments. Please be sure to review your thermology report with your personal physician and discuss a prudent course of action. Depending on familial or personal risk factors, clinical examination and intangible concerns; that course of action may range from watchful waiting to prompt additional studies with other methods of evaluation. Clinical experience has determined that targeted ultrasound is the most effective means of follow-up to an atypical thermology study. Your physician may learn more about breast thermology by requesting literature from our office or consulting with our staff.

Ongoing breast care is an essential part of your overall health plan including:

Consult with your personal physician and obtain a physical examination of your breasts.
Consult with your personal physician and together determine a plan for comprehensive evaluation, such as to include targeted ultrasound examination, MRI and/or mammography.
Schedule a thermology restudy according to the schedule recommended in your thermology report.

If your result is TH-4

TH-4 defines an abnormal thermology study that is of probable (more likely than not) risk for breast cancer. This result is not a diagnosis of breast cancer, but rather should be regarded as a specific indication that characteristic blood vessel features and/or metabolic conditions are present that are consistent with breast cancer. It is possible but unlikely that non-cancerous conditions or individual characteristics are the basis for this result, especially on an initial study. Above all, this result means you need to consult with your personal physician and obtain prompt and comprehensive testing for breast cancer. We urge your physician to examine you for a mass or abnormal skin changes and refer you for targeted ultrasound, MRI and/or mammography, keeping in mind that a positive thermogram can precede positive results from other objective testing by 5-8 years. We recommend a thermology restudy in 30 to 90 days (as specified in your thermology report) as an important part of a comprehensive testing panel. Your physician may learn more about breast thermology by requesting literature from our office or consulting with our staff.

Ongoing breast care is an essential part of your overall health plan including:

Consult with your personal physician and obtain a physical examination of your breasts.
Consult with your personal physician with the intention of comprehensive testing of your breasts.
Schedule a thermology restudy according to the schedule recommended in your thermology report.

If your result is TH-5

TH-5 defines a highly abnormal thermogram that is associated with a very high risk of breast cancer. This result is not a diagnosis of breast cancer but rather should be regarded as a strong and specific indication that characteristic blood vessel features and/or metabolic conditions are present that are consistent with breast cancer. It is possible, especially on an initial study but very unlikely, that non-cancerous conditions or individual characteristics are the basis for this result. Above all, this result means you need to consult with your personal physician and obtain comprehensive evaluation for breast cancer as soon as possible. We urge your physician to examine you for a mass or abnormal skin changes and promptly refer you for targeted ultrasound, MRI and/or mammography, keeping in mind that a positive thermogram can precede positive results from other objective testing by 5-8 years. We also recommend a thermology restudy in 30 to 90 days (as specified in your thermology report) as an important part of a comprehensive testing panel. Your physician may learn more about breast thermology by requesting literature from our office or consulting with our staff.

Ongoing breast care is an essential part of your overall health plan including:

Consult with your personal physician and obtain a physical examination of your breasts.
Consult with your personal physician with the intention of comprehensive testing of your breasts.
Schedule a thermology restudy according to the schedule recommended in your thermology report.

Thermology is seen as an attractive means of medical testing because it is absolutely safe, quick, simple for the patient and relatively inexpensive.

The body produces infrared energy as a necessary product of the life processes (metabolism), but this does not occur uniformly throughout the body. Major organs, such as the liver, heart, spleen and kidneys produce most of the body's heat while we are not physically active. The circulation of blood distributes this thermal energy throughout the body and does so quite evenly under normal circumstances.

Thermology is applied to studies of the diseases of the blood vessels in the head, neck, arms and hands and the legs and feet. These studies can detect and evaluate the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), shunting, varicosties and micro-circulation. Thermology can be used to detect breast disease, such as cancer, fibrocysts and mastitis. Thermology can be used to evaluate dysorders of the peripheral nervous system, such as nerve fiber entrapment and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Thermology can also be used to evaluate thyroid function, dental infections, the superficial lymphatic centers and muscular function. For an explanation of angiogenesis in cancer, please click on this link to a National Cancer Institute website.

Therma-Scan, Inc. has been a dedicated clinical and reference diagnostic laboratory since 1972. We have probably done more thermologic studies than anyone else in the world. Questions you may have regarding the selection of thermology for your medical situation should be directed to your physician.