About Thermology Reports

We encourage health care professionals to read the Professionals section of this website for further information and speak with our staff (Contact Us) regarding any questions.  As a laboratory, Therma-Scan cannot directly consult with you as a patient nor provide you any medical directions or information outside of what is contained in your actual breast thermology report. We believe knowledge empowers you as an active partner in the management of your own health care and enables you to make the best choices.  We provide this information to help you understand your own thermology report but not as a substitute for consultation with your personal health care professional.

ABOUT THERMOLOGY

Medical infrared imaging is the process of obtaining highly detailed and sensitive infrared images of the human body.  The word thermology involves the diagnostic analysis of those images by a Board-Certified medical specialist using a scientific method.

• Thermology is accepted by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services as an adjunctive diagnostic procedure for breast disease. 
• Thermology is derived from more than fifty (50) years of extensive clinical development and has a sound basis in medical science. 
• Thermology evaluates tissue function and is distinctly different from structure-based diagnostic methods, such as X-ray 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 X-ray 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 or surgical reductions, are pregnant, are lactating or have small or large breasts.  Breast thermology has a very high (approximately 97%) sensitivity identifying the specific tissue features associated with breast cancer.  A normal thermology report does not eliminate all possibility of breast cancer and atypical or abnormal results of other means of evaluation should not be disregarded.  

The diagnostic power of thermology can be diminished by tissue inflammation, infection or hormone imbalances.  The presence of these conditions can cause false-positive findings, especially on initial studies of an individual.  Over time and with comparative analysis of 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 (Marseille System) defines five (5) conventional and distinct reporting categories, ranging from TH-1 (normal) through TH-5 (severely abnormal) and two (2) specialized reporting categories; TH-0 (incomplete or technically defective) and TH-6 (evaluating thermology features in cases of biopsy-proven cancer without surgical excision).  

Marseille System - Thermology Classifications (click each below for more details)

•     TH-1 or TH-1F
•     TH-1L or TH-1M
•     TH-2 or TH-2F
•     TH-3
•     TH-3L or TH-3M
•     TH-4
•     TH-4L or TH-4M
•     TH-5
•     TH-6

These numbers DO NOT relate to the classification system used to stage breast cancer.

TH-1 defines a normal thermogram: a thermal profile of the breasts that does not show any of the thermology features associated with risk for breast cancer. 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 fibro-adenomas.  These conditions often have symptoms of premenstrual tenderness, ‘lumpy’ texture, masses and even pain.  We recommend that you consult with a qualified health care professional for these conditions.  We also recommend that you have an annual thermology restudy for comparison.  In some cases, more frequent restudies may be indicated by your health practitioner.  Be sure to ask for their recommendation on restudy frequency.  Your physician may learn more about breast thermology by visiting the Professionals section of this website or calling our office to speak with our expert staff.  A normal thermology study should not be interpreted to mean that you should forego other means of routine evaluation or disregard any concerning physical symptoms.

TH-2 defines a qualified normal result with 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 pregnancy, lactation or hormone imbalances, particularly estrogen-dominant imbalances, that affect the glandular breast tissue.  The TH-2 score does not indicate breast cancer but it does not rule-out all possibility of breast cancer.  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 produce 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 restudy to compare and 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.  A TH-2 thermology score should not be interpreted to mean that you should forego other means of routine evaluation or disregard any concerning physical symptoms. 

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 visiting the Professionals section of this website or calling our office to speak with our expert staff.

TH-3 after lumpectomy or mastectomy procedures defines a thermology profile of unusual tissue processes and/or blood vessels that are consistent with but are not indicative of persistent or reoccurring breast cancer.  Surgical procedures typically produce significant swelling, nerve and blood vessel damage as well as altered tissue metabolism that will greatly alter the thermology features and substantially limit its value for 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 on a schedule specified in your own report, will compare the initial and subsequent thermology features over time and provide a useful means of monitoring the post-surgical woman for changes indicative of persistent or recurrent breast cancer, 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 single most effective means of follow-up to an atypical thermology study.  Your physician may learn more about breast thermology by visiting the Professionals section of this website or calling our office to speak with our expert 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 X-ray mammography.   
• Schedule a thermology restudy according to the schedule recommended in your  thermology report.

TH-4 after lumpectomy or mastectomy procedures defines thermology features of abnormal tissue processes and/or blood vessels that are consistent with but not indicative of persistent or reoccurring breast cancer.  Surgical procedures typically produce significant swelling, nerve and blood vessel damage as well as altered tissue metabolism that will diminish the diagnostic power of thermology features 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 diminish the diagnostic power of thermology much longer.  

However, repeat thermology studies on a schedule specified in your own report will compare the initial and subsequent thermology features over time and provide a useful means of monitoring the post-surgical woman for changes indicative of persistent or recurrent breast cancer, especially in the underarm areas.  It is possible the abnormal thermology features reflect changes in the tissues consequence of surgical procedure(s) and/or radiation treatments, especially those that don’t change over time, represent benign (non-cancerous) conditions.  However, the abnormal results of your study indicate the need for appropriate and timely follow-up with your personal physician, a review of the results of your thermology study and develop a plan of further evaluation.  This plan should include close clinical evaluation and other objective means of testing, such as blood markers, ultrasound, X-ray mammography and MRI.  Your physician may learn more about breast thermology by visiting the Professionals section of this website or calling our office to speak with our expert 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 X-ray mammography.   
• Schedule a thermology restudy according to the schedule recommended in your thermology report.

The category of TH-6 is a specialized classification applied to thermology in a non-screening and non-diagnostic role, specifically when breast cancer has already been established by tissue biopsy and no conventional form of treatment has been applied.  The TH-6 parallels the BI-RADS® (Breast Imaging-Reporting And Data System developed by the American College of Radiology) category 6 LOS (Level of Suspicion).  

TH-6 grading does not exceed a TH-5 in severity.  The images are still analyzed and graded using the standardized Marseille System of Thermology Signs and Criteria and the Data and Impression and Discussion portions of your report will read as such.  However, your report will not provide any risk assessment as breast cancer has already been established by the final diagnostic arbiter; a tissue biopsy.  Frequently, the TH-6 report will be qualified by the potential artifacts of biopsy; tissue inflammation, regional swelling and disruptions to the local blood vessels and nerve network if the thermology study is performed within three (3) months of the biopsy.  The clinical rationale of a thermology study after breast cancer has been established is to evaluate the effectiveness of newer and non-traditional means of treatment for breast cancer, such as adjunctive (targeted) chemotherapy and cryo-ablation.  The best value of the first post-biopsy thermology study is as a baseline for the comparative analysis of future studies, done as indicated by the treatment program.  Of course, the opposite-side breast, presumably not diagnosed with breast cancer, will be evaluated on the TH-0 to TH-5 risk scale based upon prima facie analysis of thermology features.  Your physician may learn more about breast thermology by visiting the Professionals section of this website or calling our office to speak with our expert staff.

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

• Consult with your personal physician with the intention of comprehensive testing of your breasts.          
• Schedule a thermology restudy according to the schedule recommended by your physician to provide feedback on your treatment program. 

BI-RADS® is a registered trademark of The American College of Radiology