The potential of terahertz imaging for cancer diagnosis: A review of investigations to date

[摘要] The terahertz region lies between the microwave and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum such that it is stronglyattenuated by water and very sensitive to water content. Terahertz radiation has very low photon energy and thus it doesnot pose any ionization hazard for biological tissues. Because of these characteristic properties, there has been an increasinginterest in terahertz imaging and spectroscopy for biological applications within the last few years and more and moreterahertz spectra are being reported, including spectroscopic studies of cancer. The presence of cancer often causes increasedblood supply to affected tissues and a local increase in tissue water content may be observed: this acts as a natural contrastmechanism for terahertz imaging of cancer. Furthermore the structural changes that occur in affected tissues have also beenshown to contribute to terahertz image contrast. This paper introduces terahertz technology and provides a short review ofrecent advances in terahertz imaging and spectroscopy techniques. In particular investigations relating to the potential ofterahertz imaging and spectroscopy for cancer diagnosis will be highlighted.

[学科分类] 外科医学

[关键词] Terahertz;imaging;spectroscopy;cancer