Biomedical applications of terahertz technology

Abstract

We present results which demonstrate the ability of Terahertz Pulse Imaging (TPI) to distinguish between carcinoma and normal tissue. This technique is the first to be used to identify basal cell carcinoma macroscopically in the terahertz frequency regime. The increase in absorption observed in the diseased tissue is attributed to an increase in the amount or a change in the binding of water within the basal cell carcinoma. This makes water an important molecular marker for TPI. Our results represent a new application for the use of terahertz radiation in distinguishing carcinoma from normal tissue.