Perspective on the applications of terahertz imaging in skin cancer diagnosis

Abstract

Applications of terahertz (THz) imaging technologies have advanced significantly in the disciplines of biology, medical diagnostics, and non- destructive testing in the past several decades. Significant progress has been made in THz biomedical imaging, allowing for the label-free diagnosis of malignant tumors. Terahertz frequencies, which lie between those of the microwave and infrared, are highly sensitive to water concentration and are significantly muted by water. Terahertz radiation does not cause ionization of biological tissues because of its low photon energy. Recently, terahertz spectra, including spectroscopic investigations of cancer, have been reported at an increasing rate due to the growing interest in their biological applications sparked by these unique features. To improve cancer diagnosis with terahertz imaging, an appropriate differentiation technique is required to increased blood supply and localized rise in tissue water content that commonly accompany the presence of malignancy. Terahertz imaging has been found to benefit from structural alterations in afflicted tissues. This study provides an overview of terahertz technology and briefly discusses the use of terahertz imaging techniques in the detection of skin cancer. Research into the promise and perils of terahertz imaging will also be discussed.