Cancer diagnosis by autofluorescence of blood components

The autofluorescence of blood components of healthy volunteers and cancer patients of different etiology were analyzed using a steady-state spectrofluorometer. A significant contrast between healthy and diseased blood could be established. Blood components of patients of gastric cancer, breast cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma showed distinct and enhanced fluorescence band (around 630 nm) due to the porphyrin fluorophore. From the ratio fluorometry, a correlation to the stages of cancer could be also brought forth. We could indicate reasonably well the features of early stages and the growth rate of a few cancers and benign tumors. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.