Detection and diagnosis of oral cancer by light-induced fluorescence

• Published in: Lasers in surgery and medicine 2003-01, Vol.32 (1), p.17-24
• Main Authors: Ebihara, Arata, Krasieva, Tatiana B., Liaw, Lih-Huei L., Fago, Sheri, Messadi, Diana, Osann, Kathryn, Wilder-Smith, Petra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 5-aminolevulinic acid; 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene - adverse effects; Aminolevulinic Acid - administration & dosage; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinogens - adverse effects; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - chemically induced; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnosis; Cheek - pathology; Cheek - radiation effects; Cricetinae; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Models, Animal; Ent. Stomatology; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); light-induced fluorescence; Low-Level Light Therapy; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Mouth Neoplasms - chemically induced; Mouth Neoplasms - diagnosis; Neoplasm Staging; oral cancer; oral dysplasia; Otorhinolaryngology (head neck, general aspects and miscellaneous); Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Photosensitizing Agents - administration & dosage; Time Factors; Tumors
• ISSN: 0196-8092; 1096-9101
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.10137

Background and Objective New techniques for non‐invasive early detection and diagnosis of oral dysplasia and carcinoma are required. Our objective was to determine in the hamster cheek pouch model whether differentiation between the healthy tissue and the different stages of oral premalignancy and malignancy is possible using laser‐induced fluorescence after tissue exposure to 5‐Aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Study Design/Materials and Methods DMBA carcinogenesis was applied to one cheek pouch in 18 hamsters for 0–20 weeks. Prior to sacrifice, 20% ALA was applied to the cheek tissues. Excised cheek tissues were cryosectioned and imaged using fluorescence microscopy with excitation at 405 nm, detection at 635 nm. After fluorescence measurement, H&E staining and histopathological evaluation were performed. Results Fluorescence intensity was significantly lower in healthy tissue than in pathological tissues. Significantly higher intensities and more “fluorescence hot spots” occurred in severe dysplasia and carcinoma than in healthy tissue, hyperkeratosis, mild and moderate dysplasia. Conclusions Light‐induced fluorescence after ALA exposure can differentiate between the different stages of premalignancy and malignancy. Its ability to differentiate between healthy tissue and early pathology is particularly interesting Lasers Surg. Med. 32:17–24,2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.