RAMAN SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF CANCEROUS AND IRRADIATED HUMAN MANDIBLE BONE

Background Radiotherapy has contributed with a significant and impressive stride to the survival rates of oral cancer patients. However, quality and alterations in the biochemical composition of bones used for dental implantation after radiotherapy in cancer patients is always a critical and debatable factor. The aim of this study was to determine compositional alterations in human mandible bone after irradiation using Raman microspectroscopy. Methods A total of 36 bone biopsies (21-control, 4-cancer and 11-irradiated) obtained from 36 patients during implant surgery were used. Raman measurements were carried out using a Bruker Senterra LX200 dispersive Raman spectrometer. Data acquisition points were determined under pathological supervision. Three measurements from different locations were conducted with a spot size of 10 microns. Spectra were acquired for 60s and averaged over 5-accumulations. Both mineral and matrix constituents were analysed by computing area associated with of phosphate (958 cm-1), carbonate (1070 cm-1), collagen (amide III) and matrix (amide I) bands using in-house MATLAB-based software. Unpaired student ‘t’ test was employed to measure level of significance. Results Absolute mineral contents (phosphate and carbonate) were higher in cancer specimens.