Lymph node pathology using optical spectroscopy in cancer diagnostics

Raman and infrared spectroscopy are optical spectroscopic techniques that use light scattering (Raman) and light absorption (infrared) to probe the vibrational energy levels of molecules in tissue samples. Using these techniques, one can gain an insight into the biochemical composition of cells and tissues by looking at the spectra produced and comparing them with spectra obtained from standards such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates. As a result of optical spectroscopy being able to measure these biochemical changes, diagnosis of cancer could take place faster than current diagnostic methods, assisting and offering pathologists and cytologists a novel technology in cancer screening and diagnosis.