Affiliations: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73109, USA | Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma
Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, USA | Center for Bioengineering and School of Electrical and
Computer Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA | Department of Engineering and Physics, College of
Mathematics and Science, University of Central Oklahoma, 100 North University
Drive, Edmond, OK 73034, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author. Wei R. Chen, Ph.D., Professor Department
of Engineering and Physics, College of Mathematics and Science, University of
Central Oklahoma, 100 North University Drive, Edmond, OK 73034, USA. Tel.: +1
405 974 5198; Fax: +1 405 974 3812; E-mail: wchen@ucok.edu
Abstract: Laser Doppler perfusion monitors have been used to study blood flow
in tissue. They are useful tools to understand and monitor vascular changes
during the treatment of lesions. In addition, lasers have been used in the
treatment of cancers through photothermal and photochemical interactions, and
the effects of laser treatment in many cases depend on the vasculature of the
tumors and their surrounding tissue. In this study, an 805-nm laser was used to
non-invasively irradiate subcutaneous mammary and prostatic tumors in rats. The
perfusions on the tumor surface, the overlying skin, and underlying muscle
tissues were measured using laser Doppler flowmetry during the near-infrared
laser treatment. The perfusion probe was fitted into a 16-gauge needle so that
the probe could be inserted into the target tissue for the perfusion
measurement. The perfusion on the surface of the tumor decreased at the
beginning of the laser irradiation, followed by a significant increase. Then,
the perfusion was decreased again to a pre-treatment level. The perfusion of
the skin tissue and muscle tissue, however, remained relatively unchanged
during laser irradiation. Our experimental results indicate that laser
photothermal effects could be monitored by the laser Doppler flowmetry and that
tumor vascular information could be used to improve the effectiveness of the
laser treatment of cancer.
