title: Use of hyperspectral imaging to distinguish normal, precancerous, and cancerous cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of the current study was to test the hypothesis that the cytologic diagnosis of cancer cells can be enhanced by the technique of hyperspectral imaging (HSI).
  
  
  METHODS
  As a proof of principle, HSI was employed to obtain hyperspectrum from a normal human fibroblast, as well as its telomerase-immortalized and SV40-transformed derivatives. Novel algorithms were developed to differentiate among these cell models based on spectral and spatial differences. Using the same technique with modified algorithms, the authors were able to differentiate among normal and precancerous (low-grade [LG] and high-grade [HG]) cervical cells and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on liquid-based Papanicolaou (Pap) test slides.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The specificity for identifying normal fibroblast cell type based on spatial and spectral algorithms was 74.2%. The sensitivity for identifying telomerase-immortalized and SV40-transformed cells was 100% and 90.3%, respectively. The system identified normal cervical cells with a specificity of 95.8%. With regard to LG precancerous cells and HG precancerous cells, the sensitivity was 66.7% and 93.5%, respectively. The sensitivity detected for SCC was 98.6%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HSI can be utilized in prescreening liquid-based Pap test slides to improve efficiency in Pap test diagnoses with the goal of ultimately reducing the mortality from cervical cancer while reducing health care costs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216-4505, USA. asiddiqi@pathology.umsmed.edu
authors.forename: Anwer M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Siddiqi
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fazlay
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Faruque
authors.forename: Worth
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Kent
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hughson
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bigler
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beach
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears