  The goal of this study is an exploratory analysis concerning main sensor
technologies applied in cancer research to detect new directions in diagnosis
and treatments. The study focused on types of cancer having a high incidence
and mortality worldwide: breast, lung, colorectal and prostate. Data of the Web
of Science (WOS) core collection database are used to retrieve articles related
to sensor technologies and cancer research over 1991-2021 period. We utilized
Gephi software version 0.9.2 to visualize the co-word networks of the
interaction between sensor technologies and cancers under study. Results show
main clusters of interaction per typology of cancer. Biosensor is the only type
of sensor that plays an essential role in all types of cancer: breast cancer,
lung cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer. Electrochemical sensor is
applied in all types of cancer under study except lung cancer. Electrochemical
biosensor is used in breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer research
but not colorectal cancer. Optical sensor can also be considered one of the
sensor technologies that significantly is used in breast cancer, prostate
cancer, and colorectal cancer. This study shows that this type of sensor is
applied in more diversified approaches. Moreover, the oxygen sensor is mostly
studied in lung cancer and breast cancer due to the usage in breath analysis
for the treatment process. Finally, Cmos sensor is a technology used mainly in
lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Results here suggest new directions for the
evolution of science and technology of sensors in cancer research to support
innovation and research policy directed to new technological trajectories
having a potential of accelerated growth and positive social impact for
diagnosis and treatments of cancer.
