Advantages and limitations of the autofluorescent diagnostics of the laryngeal cancer and precancerosis.

Any endoscopic diagnostic procedure that is capable of giving exact information on laryngeal lesions without damaging the tissue has essential advantages over standard biopsy. Tissue autofluorescence is defined as a natural ability of tissue to fluoresce when exposed to a certain light wavelength. This feature is a consequence of the presence of fluorophores in the tissues, which are activated by a narrow wavelength range.

[New trends in endoscopic diagnosis of tumors of the larynx].

Early detection and accurate determination of localization and extent of benign growths, particularly precancerous lesions and malignant tumors of larynx have significant therapeutic and prognostic importance. Today, laryngomicroscopy (LMS) is worldwide accepted diagnostic procedure for detection, description and biopsy of laryngeal pathology. In many cases it is a therapeutic procedure.

Autofluorescent diagnostics in laryngeal pathology.

Autofluorescent diagnostics are based on the ability of oxidized flavin mononucleotide (FMN) in normal cells to emit green fluorescence when exposed to blue light. Neoplastic cells have significantly lower concentrations of FMN and do not emit green fluorescence. Autofluorescent endoscopy is designed for early, accurate and minimally invasive diagnostics for laryngeal pathology.