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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Small and Wide Angle X-Ray Scattering Studies of Biological Macromolecules in Solution
Published on: January 8, 2013
Application of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) for differentiation between normal and cancerous breast tissue
Vahid Changizi1, Mohammad A Oghabian, Robert Speller
1Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, & Research Center for Science & Technology in Medicine, Imam Khomaini Hospital, Bolvare Keshavarz, Tehran, Iran. changizi@sina.tums.ac.ir
Introduction:
Small angle, between 3 degrees and 10 degrees, X ray scattering is predominantly coherent giving rise to diffraction effects that can be observed as constructive and destructive interferences. These interferences carry information about the molecular structure of the tissue and hence can be used to identify changes that occur due to cancer.
Method:
In this study an energy dispersive X-ray diffraction method was used. The optimum scattering angle, determined from a series of measurements on adipose breast tissue at several angles from 4 to 7.3 degrees, was found to be 6.5 degrees. Once optimized the system was used to measure the diffraction profiles (corrected scattered intensity versus momentum transfer) of a total of 99 breast tissue samples. The samples were both normal and tumour samples.
Results:
Adipose tissue showed a sharp, high intensity peak at low momentum transfer values of approximately 1.1nm-1. Adipose tissue, mixed tissue (adipose & fibroglandular) and tumor have peaks at different values of momentum transfer that can be used to identify the tissue. Benign and malignant breast tissues can also be differentiated by both peak positions and peak heights. It was also observed that the results were reproducible even after the tissue had been preserved at liquid nitrogen temperatures.
Conclusion:
We were able to differentiate between normal, benign and malignant breast tissues by using energy dispersive small angle x-ray scattering.
Insights
Energy dispersive small angle X-ray scattering successfully differentiated normal, benign, and malignant breast tissues. This technique analyzes molecular structure changes for cancer identification.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Medical Imaging
- Materials Science
Background:
- Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) utilizes coherent X-ray diffraction patterns.
- These patterns reveal molecular structural information in tissues.
- SAXS can detect structural alterations associated with cancerous changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDXRD) for breast tissue analysis.
- To determine optimal scattering angles for differentiating breast tissue types.
Main Methods:
- An energy dispersive X-ray diffraction method was employed.
- Optimal scattering angle determined to be 6.5 degrees using adipose breast tissue.
- Diffraction profiles of 99 normal and tumor breast tissue samples were measured.
Main Results:
- Distinct momentum transfer peaks identified for adipose, mixed, and tumor tissues.
- Benign and malignant tissues were differentiated by peak position and intensity.
- Reproducible results were obtained even after cryopreservation.
Conclusions:
- Energy dispersive small angle X-ray scattering effectively distinguishes between normal, benign, and malignant breast tissues.
- This method shows potential for non-invasive cancer diagnostics.
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