In vivo detection and staging of epithelial dysplasias and malignancies based on the quantitative assessment of acetic acid-tissue interaction kinetics

A novel approach to the problem of non-destructive detection and staging of tissue lesions is presented. The method relies on the in vivo quantitative assessment of the spatial and temporal alterations of light-scattering properties, induced in epithelial dysplasias and malignancies of the cervix and larynx, after topical application of acetic acid solution. Initial clinical trials show that the method is capable of detecting incipient. lesions and that differences in the dysplasia and malignancy grade are clearly manifested in the measured temporal characteristics of the phenomenon. (C)1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.