Spectral cytopathology: a dagnostic tool for the oral cavity and the esophagus.

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20003084

Spectral cytopathology (SCP), which couples Fourier Transform infrared micro-spectroscopy (IR-MSP) with unsupervised multivariate statistical methods, is an accurate and robust optical tool for the detection of subtle biochemical changes that occur within individual cells. SCP monitors the biochemical composition of cells within a sample and through computer-based algorithms is able to identify and classify unique spectral changes that are induced by disease. These subtle molecular changes can be observed before morphological changes become apparent, allowing earlier diagnostic information to become available for cytologists. When diagnostic information is available earlier the patient can potentially be offered treatment more swiftly, thus improving the prognosis for the patient.