Globally, cancer is becoming a major health problem as advances in medicine continue

to extend the life spans of our populations. In 2011 alone, there were an estimated 12.7

million new cancer cases diagnosed, 7.6 million cancer related deaths, and 28 million

people living with cancer within 5 years of their initial diagnosis [1]. Cancer research is one

of the main research topics in health sciences and EU funding alone amounts to 1.1 billion

euro between 2007 and 2011. Survival rates are closely correlated with early diagnosis

and research on the development and improvement of diagnostic methods is increasing.

Common techniques to detect cancer are ultrasound (US), x-ray computed tomography

(CT), magnetic resonant imaging (MRI), single-photon emission computed tomography

(SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), which visualize areas inside the body

with a detection threshold of approximately 1 cm3 for solid tumors

Gamm, U.A.

Gamm, Ute

EUR Research Repository

English

Quantification of tissue scattering properties by use of fiber optispectroscopy

Erasmus University Digital Repository

Propositions To the PhD thesis Quantification of Tissue Scattering Properties  by Use of Fiber Optic Spectroscopy  1) For scattering properties in the biological relevant range, the single fiber reflectance signal is sensitive to the scattering phase function. (This thesis, chapter 2) 2) For dimensionless scattering, above a certain threshold, the single fiber reflectance signal becomes insensitive to the phase function. (This thesis, chapter 2) 3) The reduced scattering coefficient and the phase function dependent parameter ɶ can be quantified by taking multiple single fiber measurements with different fiber diameters. (This thesis, chapter 3) 4) The calibration of a single fiber measurement system using an Intralipid phantom has proven to be a reliable and robust method. (This thesis, chapter 5) 5) The use of only two different fiber diameters allows a reliable estimation of the tissue scattering properties. (This thesis, chapter 4 and 6) 6) Performing measurements by sequentially replacing probes with different fiber diameters has proven to be reliable in the lab; however, it is probably not feasible in a clinical setting. (This thesis, chapter 6) 7) The theory of considering tissue as a random continuous medium directly links tissue morphology to its optical properties. (This thesis, chapter 7) 8) The design of an optical phantom is a critical but complex step in the validation of an optical technique. (This thesis, chapter 5) 9) In order to study the light one has to spend countless hours in the dark. (Personal observation) 10) There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. (Edith Wharton) 11) Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground. ( Theodore Roosevelt)     Ute Alice Gamm Rotterdam, 2013   