Status and opportunities for future use of terahertz radiation for clinical applications

An overview of terahertz (THz) development is presented in view of possible medical applications, including details of the current technologies which could be effectively used. Although no clinical THz technologies are currently in use, its principal applicability has been already demonstrated in skin cancer detection and treatment, dental caries detection and pharmaceutical screening. Fundamental limitations of THz studies are highlighted which have to be overcome before clinical applications can be realized.