Differential diagnosis in primary and metastatic cutaneous melanoma by FT-Raman spectroscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To qualify the FT-Raman spectral data of primary and metastatic cutaneous melanoma in order to obtain a differential diagnosis.


METHODS
Ten normal human skin samples without any clinical or histopathological alterations, ten cutaneous melanoma fragments, and nine lymph node metastasis samples were used; 105, 140 and 126 spectra were obtained respectively. Each sample was divided into 2 or 3 fragments of approximately 2 mm³ and positioned in the Raman spectrometer sample holder in order to obtain the spectra; a monochrome laser light Nd:YAG at 1064 nm was used to excite the inelastic effect.


RESULTS
To differentiate the three histopathological groups according to their characteristics extracted from the spectra, data discriminative analysis was undertaken. Phenylalanine, DNA, and Amide-I spectral variables stood out in the differentiation of the three groups. The percentages of correctly classified groups based on Phenylalanine, DNA, and Amide-I spectral features was 93.1%.


CONCLUSIONS
FT-Raman spectroscopy is capable of differentiating melanoma from its metastasis, as well as from normal skin.
Oliveira
Andrea Fernandes de
AF
UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil. dra.afo@gmail.com
Santos
Ivan Dunshee de Abranches Oliveira
ID
Cartaxo
Sidney Bandeira
SB
Bitar
Renata Andrade
RA
Enokihara
Mílvia Maria Simões e Silva
MM
Martinho
Herculano da Silva
Hda S
Martin
Airton Abrahão
AA
Ferreira
Lydia Masako
LM
D000577:Amides / Q000032:analysis; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000032:analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*
D000577:Amides; D010649:Phenylalanine; D004247:DNA