Open AccessPerformance of THz fiber-scanning near-field microscopy to diagnose breast tumors
Author(s) -
Hua Chen,
Wei-Jei Lee,
HsinYi Huang,
Chui-Min Chiu,
YungFong Tsai,
TaiLin Tseng,
Jen-Tang Lu,
Wei-Ting Lai,
ChiKuang Sun
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.19.019523
Subject(s) - terahertz radiation , microscopy , materials science , breast tumor , optics , human breast , optical microscope , breast cancer , biomedical engineering , pathology , medicine , scanning electron microscope , optoelectronics , cancer , physics , composite material
Based on tissues from 20 female patients (mean age: 53 years; rang: 36-72 years), we examine the performance of a room-temperature-operated terahertz (THz) fiber-scanning near-field microscopy to diagnose slices of breast tissues. The specimens were frozen sliced and then measured in a thawed state without dehydration. We performed the imaging at 320 GHz. Our study indicates that images acquired in the THz transmission-illumination mode can all clearly distinguish breast tumor tissues from normal tissues without H&E staining. Due to its capability to perform quantitative analysis and to allow follow-up staining and traditional pathohistological analysis, our study indicates great potential of the THz fiber-scanning near-field microscopy for future automation, which is critical for fast and complete pre-screening on breast tumor pathological examinations and for assisting quick definition of the tumor margins during the surgical procedure such as breast-conserving surgery.