Optical Tomographic Tumor Detection

Novel tomographic methods can help in the early detection of tumors and tumor metastases. One such method is optical tomography in which red laser light illuminates the skin and then propagates into the tissue under interrogation (isosurfaces at the left). Tumor cells previously marked with a fluorescent dye absorb this red light and re-emit it in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum (isosurfaces at the center). By detecting this infrared light again as it propagates to the skin, we can make inferences about the location and size of a possible tumor.

Click for full size image.