Native cellular fluorescence and its application to cancer prevention

Native cellular fluorescence (NCF) represents the innate capacity of tissues to absorb and emit light of specified wavelengths. Recent advances in optical engineering and computer technology have provided the opportunity to measure NCF characteristics of various tissues in vivo. This report will briefly review the current status of NCF analysis of various neoplastic tissues. The status of investigations involving the upper aerodigestive tract will be discussed. Though initial results demonstrate that neoplastic tissues can be discriminated from normal mucosa by NCF analysis, the biologic basis of this difference remains uncertain. This report will also emphasize that the ability to screen for cancer in aerodigestive mucosa may be enhanced through the assessment of multiple emission and excitation wavelengths. The true nature of the cellular fluorophores responsible for these mucosal spectral characteristics should be more fully defined in coming years.