title: Simulating the response of terahertz radiation to basal cell carcinoma using ex vivo spectroscopy measurements.
abstract: Studies of basal cell carcinoma using terahertz pulsed imaging have revealed a significant difference between regions of tumor and healthy tissue. These differences are manifested in the reflected pulse due to what is thought to be changes in refractive index and absorption. We present measurements of the refractive index and absorption coefficient of excised normal tissue and basal cell carcinoma using terahertz (THz) transmission spectroscopy. We extract Debye parameters from these data and enter them into a finite difference time domain simulation to predict the shape of the waveforms reflected off the normal tissue and basal cell carcinoma and compare them with published in vivo data. Simulating the interaction of terahertz radiation with normal and cancerous tissue is a key step toward understanding the origin of contrast in terahertz images of skin cancer.
authors.affiliation: Cambridge University, Cavendish Laboratory, Semiconductor Physics Group, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom. emma.pickwell@teraview.com
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pickwell
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Bryan E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Philip F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Taday
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Pye
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pepper
authors.forename: Vincent P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Wallace
mesh_terms: D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008872:Microwaves; D008954:Models, Biological; D012031:Refractometry / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods*