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Terahertz Imaging and Characterization Protocol for Freshly Excised Breast Cancer Tumors
Published on: April 5, 2020
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Cancer detection in excised breast tumors using terahertz imaging and spectroscopy
Magda El-Shenawee1, Nagma Vohra1, Tyler Bowman1
1Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, USA.
Biomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging
|June 23, 2020
Summary
Terahertz imaging effectively differentiates cancerous breast tumors from healthy tissues. This pulsed terahertz technology shows promise for improving breast cancer detection and diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Medical Imaging
- Terahertz Technology
Background:
- Terahertz (THz) imaging and spectroscopy show potential for distinguishing between various breast tissue types.
- Pulsed THz technology offers a broad frequency range (0.1–4 THz) crucial for detecting cancerous tissues.
- Key tissue types include infiltrating ductal/lobular carcinomas, fibro-glandular tissue, and adipose tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review images of excised breast tumors from human and animal models.
- To evaluate the potential of THz imaging for breast cancer detection, including the use of contrast agents.
- To develop breast cancer tissue phantoms for further evaluation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of excised breast tumor images using pulsed terahertz technology.
- Development and testing of breast cancer tissue phantoms.
- Comparison of THz imaging results with histopathology data.
Main Results:
- Successful differentiation between cancerous and healthy breast tissues was achieved for all fresh samples.
- THz imaging demonstrated strong contrast between malignant and benign tissues.
- Validation with pathology images confirmed the accuracy of THz-based tissue differentiation.
Conclusions:
- Terahertz imaging is a promising non-invasive technique for breast cancer diagnosis.
- Further research into THz imaging, including contrast agents and phantoms, can enhance its clinical utility.
- The advantages and limitations of THz imaging for breast cancer applications are discussed.
