Enhancement of Diagnostic Accuracy in Endometrial Carcinoma using CW-THz Spectroscopy

Background and ObjectiveTerahertz (THz) spectroscopy has emerged as a cutting-edge tool for advancing cancer imaging research. The objective of this study was to utilize an advanced high-resolution continuous-wave terahertz (CW-THz) imaging system to ex vivo image human endometrial cancer (EC) on unstained, formalin-fixed, and paraffin-embedded histopathology slides. The aim was to localize EC and distinguish cancerous EC tissue from the surrounding noncancerous myometrial tissue.Materials and MethodsAn advanced high-resolution continuous-wave terahertz (CW-THz) imaging system was employed to image ex vivo human endometrial cancer (EC) on unstained, formalin-fixed, and paraffin-embedded histopathology slides. The terahertz spectroscopy data were meticulously processed to generate 2-D transmission THz raw images. Sophisticated image processing techniques, including Gaussian filtering and resolution enhancement, were applied to improve image clarity.ResultsThe resulting THz images revealed a notable increase in terahertz absorption within the EC tissue compared to the surrounding myometrium. The enhanced contrast provided by the CW-THz imaging system was pivotal for delineating tumor boundaries, closely corroborating with histopathological results. The sophisticated image processing techniques significantly enhanced image clarity, facilitating the precise localization of EC.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the promise of THz spectroscopy as a significant adjunct in cancer research, particularly in the diagnostic precision of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma. The high-resolution CW-THz imaging system effectively differentiated cancerous EC tissue from noncancerous myometrial tissue, suggesting its potential for improving diagnostic accuracy in clinical practice.