Terahertz spectroscopy for lung cancer detection: a preliminary study / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To preliminarily explore the application of terahertz spectroscopy in the early detection of lung cancer by comparing the differences among lung cancer tissues,paracancerous tissues,and normal lung tissues with terahertz spectroscopy and screen the suitable terahertz frequency for specific diagnosis of lung cancer.Methods Thirty groups of lung tissue samples from non-small cell lung cancer patients at stage of Ⅰ to Ⅲ A were collected,and each group contained lung cancer tissue,paracancerous tissues,and normal lung tissue from the same patient.These lung cancer specimens included 17 cases of adenocarcinoma,10 cases of squamous cell carcinoma,2 cases of large cell lung cancer,and 1 case of sarcomatoid carcinoma.Terahertz spectroscopy from 0.2 THz to 2.0 THz was used to detect these tissue samples,and the absorption coefficient was compared.Results ① The absorption coefficient was significantly higher in the lung cancer tissues than the normal lung tissues.② Terahertz spectroscopy at a frequency of 0.8 to 1.4 THz may have the specific diagnostic value of lung cancer.Conclusion Since the absorption rate is higher in the lung cancer than the normal lung tissue,which is suggested that terahertz spectroscopy may be regarded as a novel non-invasive diagnostic approach for lung cancer.The specific diagnostic value of the terahertz frequency may be 1.4-2.0 THz for lung cancer.