Spectral-autofluorescent diagnostics of stomach and lung cancer

The results of investigations connected with stomach and lung cancerous tissue diagnostics and identification with a laser-endoscope spectroanalyzer are presented in this paper. Spectral measurements were carried out with endoscopy during surgery and after ektomy. It has been known since the beginning of this century that tumors have specific red fluorescence under UV light. We used this fact as a diagnostic criterion. However, we concluded that the most effective method of sensitive and reliable diagnostics was based on the simultaneous registration and scattering of autofluorescence from laser light applied for excitation. It should be noted that fluorescence is excited and registrated in the red spectral range. Application of this method allows for the identification of malignant lung and stomach tumors, as well as cancerous disease parabronchial or undermucousal tumors which can be inaccessible with known endoscopy procedures. The method also makes it possible to distinguish malignant and benign tumors. The relative simplicity and low cost of this technique allow the hope of good clinical applications in the near future.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.