title: Performance of THz fiber-scanning near-field microscopy to diagnose breast tumors.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Electrical Engineering and Graduate Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.
authors: Hua
authors: H
authors: Chen
authors: Wen-Jeng
authors: WJ
authors: Lee
authors: Hsin-Yi
authors: HY
authors: Huang
authors: Chui-Min
authors: CM
authors: Chiu
authors: Yuan-Fu
authors: YF
authors: Tsai
authors: Tzu-Fang
authors: TF
authors: Tseng
authors: Jen-Tang
authors: JT
authors: Lu
authors: Wei-Ling
authors: WL
authors: Lai
authors: Chi-Kuang
authors: CK
authors: Sun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055068:Terahertz Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*