Pilot study: Raman spectroscopy in differentiating premalignant and malignant oral lesions from normal mucosa and benign lesions in humans.

Background: Current practice for differentiating tissue lesions are based on histopathological criteria. This process is subject to error. The purpose of this study was to test whether an alternative, tissue-based molecular signatures Raman spectra could be used to differentiate premalignant and malignant lesions from normal mucosa or benign lesions.

Methods: Eighteen treatment naive subjects with histologically diagnosed oral disease were studied by comparing the Raman spectra of lesions with contralateral healthy sites. Principle component and multivariate analysis were used to predict which of the tissue groups the average spectrum of each lesion or normal tissue belonged.

Results: The average spectra were clearly different between premalignant and malignant lesions and those derived from normal, benign tissues. Premalignant and malignant lesions could be predicted with 100% sensitivity and 77% specificity.

Conclusion: Raman spectroscopy (RS) offers the potential to provide point of care diagnosis of oral disease using a noninvasive, convenient, and relatively inexpensive technology.