Experimental determination of linear attenuation coefficient of normal, benign and malignant breast tissues

The linear attenuation coefficients for normal (adipose and glandular) and neoplastic (benign and malignant) breast tissues were measured using monoenergetic X-ray beams at the energy range of 8–30 keV, combining narrow beam geometry and high energy resolution obtained using a diffracted X-ray beam. The measured values are compared with predicted ones calculated according to the mixture rule and with previous experimental data showing a good agreement within the experimental uncertainties. Our results show that there is some degree of overlap among glandular, benign and malignant values. Nevertheless, significant differences (p < 0.05) exist in the linear attenuation coefficient between glandular and malignant at energies below 28 keV. Finally, a fitting procedure was applied to values for each group (mean and extremes values) in order to summarize all data.