title: Raman spectroscopy for optical diagnosis in normal and cancerous tissue of the nasopharynx-preliminary findings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Raman spectroscopy (RS), which can detect molecular changes associated with cancer, was explored as a means of distinguishing normal and cancerous nasopharyngeal tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tissue from six patients with normal and cancerous biopsies was studied using a rapid acquisition Raman spectrometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spectra were obtainable within 5 seconds. Consistent differences were noted between normal and cancer tissue in three bands 1,290-1,320 cm(-1) (P = 0.005), 1,420-1,470 cm(-1) (P = 0.006), and 1,530-1,580 cm(-1) (P = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spectral differences appear to exist between normal and cancerous nasopharyngeal tissue. The ability to obtain spectra rapidly supports the potential for future in vivo application.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, University of British Columbia/Vancouver General Hospital, Canada V5Z 1M9.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Zhiwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Harvey
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lui
authors.forename: Chris S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Man
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Berean
authors.forename: Murray D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Haishan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009302:Nasopharyngeal Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000473:pathology*; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*