Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40982132›Full record

ArticleBreast cancer (Tokyo, Japan)2026

Impact of breast density on the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in early-stage breast cancer.

Manabu Futamura, Yasuko Nagao, Yukiko Takai, Yoshimi Niwa, Akira Nakakami, Mai Okawa, Yoshihisa Tokumaru, Junichi Mase, Ryutaro Mori, Daichi Watanabe and 2 more

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Breast cancer (Tokyo, Japan), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Manabu FutamuraDepartment of Breast Surgery, Gifu University Hospital, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan. futamura.manabu.m3@f.gifu-u.ac.jp.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5622-8352
Yasuko NagaoDepartment of Breast Surgery, Gifu Prefectural General Medical Center, Gifu, 500-8717, Japan.
Yukiko TakaiDepartment of Radiology, Gifu University Hospital, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-3395-3584
Yoshimi NiwaDepartment of Breast Surgery, Gifu University Hospital, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.
Akira NakakamiDepartment of Breast Surgery, Gifu University Hospital, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4427-6888
Mai OkawaDepartment of Breast Surgery, Gifu University Hospital, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.
Yoshihisa TokumaruDepartment of Breast Surgery, Central Japan International Medical Center, Minokamo, 505-8510, Japan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2481-7739
Junichi MaseDepartment of Breast Surgery, Gifu Prefectural General Medical Center, Gifu, 500-8717, Japan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-3036-2412
Ryutaro MoriDepartment of Medical Informatics, Gifu University Hospital, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.
Daichi WatanabeInnovative and Clinical Research Promotion Center, Gifu University Hospital, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.
Takayuki KinoshitaDepartment of Breast Surgery, NHO Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, 152-8902, Japan.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3567-2187
Nobuhisa MatsuhashiDepartment of Gastroenterological Surgery, Gifu University Hospital, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive technique employed in the management of small breast tumors. RFA involves the delivery of a high-frequency current through a needle electrode under ultrasound guidance. In Japan, RFA has been covered by insurance since 2023 as a localized treatment option for early-stage breast cancers.

methodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent RFA at our institution between February 2016 and March 2025. Breast density was classified into four categories based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. Associations between breast density and RFA parameters, including ablation temperature, time, and impedance, were evaluated.

resultsA total of 50 breasts in 49 female patients were treated with RFA. The mean peak ablation temperature recorded after the cooling break was 81.0 ± 8.0 °C. Increased breast density was significantly associated with high temperatures. The mean ablation time until break was 446 ± 139 s, indicating a trend toward prolonged durations in cases involving denser breast tissue. The mean initial and final impedance values were 208 ± 72.3 Ω and 161 ± 66.5 Ω, respectively. Fat-rich breasts exhibited significantly higher impedance values at both time points.

conclusionFatty breast tissue is associated with higher impedance, lower peak temperatures, and shorter ablation times, potentially resulting in insufficient ablation. Breast density should be considered when planning RFA to ensure optimal treatment efficacy.

Indexed as

Breast DensityBreast NeoplasmsRadiofrequency AblationAdultAgedBreastFemaleHumansMiddle AgedNeoplasm StagingRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeBreast densityEarly breast cancerRadiofrequency ablation (RFA)Thermal conductivity

Identifiers

PMID40982132
PMCPMC12789161

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.