Laser-induced fluorescence detection of malignancies in the female genital tract via their natural emission and hypocrellin (HA) probing

A laser-induced fluorescence-guided biopsy system has been developed for the screening and early detection of malignancies in the female inner/outer genital tract. Fluorescence spectra were recorded during exposure of normal and malignant tissue to He-Cd laser (442 nm) radiation. A characteristic increase in the fluorescence signal at 600 nm for malignant tissue was observed after treatment of the samples with hypocrellin (HA). This, combined with the spectral distribution of tissue natural fluorescence, allowed for the development of simple algorithms, based on the intensity difference. A subsequent index of discrimination between normal and various malignant tissues has been calculated. These results suggest that monitoring of this index during colposcopy could enhance selective detection of the malignant tissue, reducing the risk of leaving pathologic tissue untreated during standard exploratory surgical procedures.