Cancer is a multistage, heterogeneous disease that develops through a series of genetic mutations. Early stage cancer is most responsive to treatment but can be the hardest to detect due to its small size, lack of definitive symptoms and potential location deep in the body. Whole body imaging methods, MRI/CT/PET, lack the necessary resolution to detect cellular level abnormalities. Optical methods, which have sufficient resolution, can be miniaturized into endoscopes, which are necessary to overcome limited penetration of light into tissue. By combining optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescence imaging methods it is possible to create endoscopes sensitive to molecular and structural changes. I applied a dual-modality 2mm diameter rigid endoscope to the study of the natural history of colon cancer in a mouse model, and later applied this knowledge to the design and characterization of a 0.8 mm dual-modality flexible probe for use in human fallopian tubes. By using this endoscope, which is introduced through the natural orifice and is compatible with existing hysteroscopes, high-risk women could be screened in a procedure at a similar level of invasiveness as a colonoscopy. Therefore, the endoscope fills this gap in clinical care for women at high-risk for ovarian cancer.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/621742 |
| Date | January 2016 |
| Creators | Keenan, Maureen, Keenan, Maureen |
| Contributors | Barton, Jennifer K., Barton, Jennifer K., Barton, Jennifer K., Utzinger, Urs, Gmitro, Art, Hatch, Kenneth |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Electronic Dissertation |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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