Photoacoustics has 'limitations' in the detection of cancers

Dubbed photoacoustics, or laser-induced ultrasound, the technique can find some forms of melanoma even if only a few cancerous cells exist.

A study by researchers at the University of Missouri has found that the technique can be enhanced by attaching markers, called enhancers, to cancer cells to improve the ability of photoacoustics to find other types of cancer.

‘Eventually, a photoacoustic scan could become a routine part of a medical exam,’ said Luis Polo-Parada, assistant professor of pharmacology and physiology and resident investigator at the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center at the University of Missouri. ‘The technique doesn’t use X-rays, like current methods of looking for cancer. It could also allow for much earlier detection of cancer.

‘Now, a cancerous growth is undetectable until it reaches approximately 1cm³ in size. Photoacoustics could potentially find cancerous growths of only a few cells.

‘Unfortunately, our research shows that, besides some cases of melanoma, the diagnostic use of photoacoustics still has major limitations. To overcome this problem, the use of photoacoustic enhancers such as gold, carbon nanotubes or dyed nanoparticles, is needed.’