This review provides an extensive update on the latest advancements in microwave (MW) sensing and imaging systems for medical applications, particularly focusing on near-field devices operating within the 1–15 GHz frequency range. The article highlights significant progress in clinical devices for brain stroke diagnosis, breast cancer screening, and continuous blood glucose monitoring. It discusses the technical implementation and algorithmic aspects of prototypes and devices, including transceiver systems, radiating elements, and imaging algorithms. The review also covers other promising applications such as knee injuries, colon polyps detection, torso scanning, and thermal therapy monitoring. Challenges in achieving clinical engagement with MW-based technologies are discussed, along with future perspectives. The introduction emphasizes the historical development of MW imaging and sensing in medicine, the benefits of MWs, and the need for clinical acceptance. The review then delves into the dielectric characterization of human tissues, breast cancer detection, and brain stroke imaging, providing detailed analyses of current achievements, drawbacks, and device comparisons. Finally, it explores the potential of MW technology in various medical applications and concludes with a discussion on the future of MW imaging and sensing in healthcare.This review provides an extensive update on the latest advancements in microwave (MW) sensing and imaging systems for medical applications, particularly focusing on near-field devices operating within the 1–15 GHz frequency range. The article highlights significant progress in clinical devices for brain stroke diagnosis, breast cancer screening, and continuous blood glucose monitoring. It discusses the technical implementation and algorithmic aspects of prototypes and devices, including transceiver systems, radiating elements, and imaging algorithms. The review also covers other promising applications such as knee injuries, colon polyps detection, torso scanning, and thermal therapy monitoring. Challenges in achieving clinical engagement with MW-based technologies are discussed, along with future perspectives. The introduction emphasizes the historical development of MW imaging and sensing in medicine, the benefits of MWs, and the need for clinical acceptance. The review then delves into the dielectric characterization of human tissues, breast cancer detection, and brain stroke imaging, providing detailed analyses of current achievements, drawbacks, and device comparisons. Finally, it explores the potential of MW technology in various medical applications and concludes with a discussion on the future of MW imaging and sensing in healthcare.