Superparamagnetic Materials in Cancer Imaging and Diagnostics

Owing to the nanosize and desired magnetic parameters, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been extensively investigated in cancer diagnosis and therapy. SPIONs are extensively used as contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as nanocarrier for drug delivery, and as thermal agent for magnetic hyperthermia treatment. Magnetic nanoparticles have gained focus in biomedicine due to their distinctive nanoscale physicochemical properties and their potential applications. In this book chapter, the nature and causes of cancer as well as researched diagnostic and therapeutic techniques using superparamagnetic materials are presented and discussed.