An Improved Bio-Optical Method for Tumor Detection and Classification
Abstract
Optical approaches to breast cancer detection show promise over conventional methods because they have potential to work in the denser tissue of younger patients and because they do not use ionizing radiation which has been shown to induce cancer in some patients. Early diagnosis of the disease is key to successful treatment. Three technologies will be combined in this effort. (a) Optical probing, using controlled light at specific wavelengths, is becoming a respected approach to cancer tumor detection. A much-published RADAR-based method known as frequency-domain photon migration (FDPM) gives very high sensitivity. (b) Spectral fingerprint" analysis of fluorescence emission is the basis for cancer and precancer classification affecting surface cells. This has been shown for cervical and lung cancers. (c) Reading images, such as x-ray films, allows the tumor to stand out relative to the "expected" complex image of the breast. An optical hardware system will be built up and used to assess feasibility. Parts selection and overall design are based on a system analysis and trade-off analyses to determine the best approach. Variation in spectral signatures between benign and cancerous tissues will validate this concept.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA400980
Entities
People
- James G. Leatham