Reflectance spectroscopy for in vivo characterization of ovarian tissue

Background and Objective: To explore whether reflectance spectroscopy can d ifferentiate normal ovary, benign neoplasms, and ovarian cancer. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Reflectance spectra (390-600 nm) were m easured at three source-detector separations (SDS) in vivo at 64 sites in 1 6 patients undergoing oophorectomy. Parameters with largest statistical dif ferences were identified. Based an these parameters algorithms were develop ed and evaluated. Results: Promising parameters were the reflectance intensity from 540 to 58 0 nm (SDS, 1.1 mm), the slope of the reflectance spectrum from 490 to 520 n m (SDS, 1.1 mm), the slope from 510 to 530 nm (SDS, 2.1 mm), and the slope from 510 to 530 (SDS, 3 mm). Average sensitivity and specificity were 86 +/ - 6% and 79 +/- 5% to separate normal ovary from benign neoplasms and cance rs. Average sensitivity and specificity were 86 +/- 4% and 80 +/- 8% to sep arate ovarian cancers from benign neoplasms and normal ovary. Conclusion: Reflectance spectroscopy should be further investigated for ova rian cancer screening. Lasers Surg. Med. 28:56-66, 2001 (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss , Inc.