Optothermal tissue response for laser-based investigation of thyroid cancer

Abstract

To characterize thyroid cancer imaging-based detection, we implemented a simulation of the optical and thermal response in an optical investigation of thyroid cancer. We employed the 3D Monte Carlo method and the bio-heat equation to determine the fluence and temperature distribution via the Molecular Optical Simulation Environment (MOSE) with a Finite element (FE) simulator. The optothermal effect of a neck surface-based source is also compared to a trachea-based source. Results show fluence and temperature distribution in a realistic 3D neck model with both endogenous and hypothetical tissue-specific exogenous contrast agents. It also reveals that the trachea illumination has a factor of ten better absorption and temperature change than the neck-surface illumination, and tumor-specific exogenous contrast agents have a relatively higher absorption and temperature change in the tumors, which could be assistive to clinicians and researchers to improve and better understand the region's response to laser-based diagnosis. a) Model A- Full model of the neck region, b) and c) phase illumination in the neck region at different orientations. • This study has revealed the interaction of light with realistic models of the neck region in the optical diagnosis of thyroid cancer based on Monte Carlo Method. • Corresponding temperature changes and the effect of a hypothetical tissue-specific contrast agent were revealed. • Trachea- based laser source was shown to perform better than the neck surface-based source. • Study shows fluence and temperature distributions for both endogenous and tissue-specific exogenous contrast agents. • This work assist researcher in developing optical based diagnostic tools for thyroid cancers.