Modeling optical fluence and diffuse reflectance distribution in normal and cancerous breast tissues exposed to planar and Gaussian NIR beam shapes using Monte Carlo simulation

Abstract

Precise knowledge about light propagation in biological tissues is necessary for accurate diagnostics and effective therapies utilizing optical technologies. In the current paper, the Monte Carlo simulation is applied to study light dispersion in normal and cancerous breast after irradiating to different laser beam shapes. Two distinct laser wavelengths (800-1100 nm) with planar and Gaussian shapes were employed. The spatially resolved steady-state diffuse reflectance of normal tissue and tumor was investigated using Monte Carlo simulation method via MCML and MCXLAB computations. The diffusion equation was solved to simulate the fluence rate at the tissue surface based on the optical parameter values (i.e., scattering and absorption coefficients). The results confirm differences in diffuse reflectance and optical fluence distribution between the normal and tumor tissues at each wavelength. Tissue optical parameters and the utilized laser beam shape control the distribution of the fluence rate within tissues. Therefore, offering visual representations of these distributions can provide a secure visual route for biological diagnostics.

Keywords: Beam shaping; Diffuse reflectance; Fluence rate; NIR laser; Tissue optical parameters.