title: [Optical diagnostic methods for early tumour diagnosis in the upper aerodigestive tract: Quo vadis?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Optical diagnostic methods may simplify and improve the early diagnosis of tumours of the upper aerodigestive tract; however, these have not yet found their way into clinical routine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article aims to define the problems that have prevented routine use of optical diagnostic methods so far, as well as listing and also explaining potential trendsetting approaches to overcome these difficulties.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is based on a combined analysis of publically accessible databases (PubMed MEDLINE, Thompson Reuters Web of Science, SPIE. Digital Library; full time period available; search strings: "oral cavity", "pharynx", "larnyx", "optical diagnosis", "optical biopsy", "optical coherence tomography", "confocal endomicroscopy", "fluorescence endoscopy", "narrow band imaging", "non-linear imaging", "fluorescence lifetime imaging"), as well as personal experiences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both conceptual and methodical problems were determined, and possible solutions based on current developments are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Optical diagnostic methods have the potential to revolutionise early diagnosis of upper aerodigestive tract malignancies, providing the different hurdles listed in this review can be overcome.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Klinikum der Universität München, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, München, Deutschland. christian.betz@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Betz
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Hals- und Gesichtschirurgie, Kantonsspital Baselland, Liestal, Schweiz.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kraft
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg A.ö.R., Magdeburg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arens
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Klinikum der Universität München, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Klinikum der Universität München, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pfeffer
authors.affiliation: Laser-Forschungslabor am LIFE-Zentrum, Klinikum der Universität München, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rühm
authors.affiliation: Laser-Forschungslabor am LIFE-Zentrum, Klinikum der Universität München, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stepp
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Klinikum der Universität München, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Englhard
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Klinikum der Universität München, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Volgger
mesh_terms: D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000639:trends*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005544:Forecasting; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology*; D012142:Respiratory Tract Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D041622:Tomography, Optical / Q000639:trends*
keywords: Early diagnosis; Larynx; Optical imaging; Pharynx; Upper aerodigestive tract neoplasms