Detection and Localization of Early Lung Cancer by Imaging Techniques*

Abstract

The detection and localization of lung cancer in the carcinoma in situ or the microinvasive stage offers an excellent prognosis for patients. However, these, small, early lung cancers are difficult to detect and localize even with conventional fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Several attempts have been made in the past to enhance the detection of early lung cancer by using fluorescent tumor markers such as hematoporphyrin derivatives. 1 Profio AE Doiron DR King EGL. Laser fluorescence bronchoscopy for localization of occult lung tumors. Med Phys. 1979; 6: 532-535 Crossref Scopus (80) Google Scholar , 2 Hirano T Ishizuka M Suzuki K Ishida K Suzuki S Miyaki S et al. Photodynamic cancer diagnosis and treatment system consisting of pulsed lasers and endoscopic spectro-image analyzer. Lasers Life Sci. 1989; 3: 1-18 Google Scholar , 3 Baumgartner R Fisslinger H Jocham D Lenz H Ruprecht L Stepp H et al. A fluorescence imaging device for endoscopic detection of early stage cancer—instrumental and experimental studies. Photochem Photobiol. 1987; 46: 759-763 Crossref PubMed Scopus (102) Google Scholar , 4 Montan S Svanberg K Svanberg S. Multicolor imaging and contrast enhancement in cancer-tumor localization using laser-induced fluorescence in hematoporphyrin-derivative-bearing tissue. Optics Letters. 1985; 10: 56-58 Crossref PubMed Scopus (74) Google Scholar , 5 Kinsey JH Cortese DA. Endoscopic system for simultaneous visual examination and electronic detection of fluorescence. Rev Sci Instrum. 1980; 51: 1403-1406 Crossref PubMed Scopus (27) Google Scholar , 6 Profio AE Doiron DR Sarnaik J. Fluorometer for endoscopic diagnosis of tumors. Med Phys. 1984; 11: 516-520 Crossref PubMed Scopus (45) Google Scholar , 7 Lam S Palcic B McLean D Hung J Korbelik M Profio AE. Detection of early lung cancer using low dose Photofrin II. Chest. 1990; 97: 333-337 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (89) Google Scholar A new method to image early lung cancer without the use of investigative drugs has been developed. This new procedure exploits spectral differences of the autofluorescence of normal and cancerous tissue. Fluorescence images at two (or more) characteristic spectral bands are amplified and captured by a sensitive image-intensified camera. These images are then digitized using a mathematical transformation and converted into a pseudo image that clearly delineates the cancerous area when displayed on a color video monitor.