Proton MRS can determine the pathology of human cancers with a high level of accuracy

The first report of a high-resolution proton (1H) magnetic resonance spectrum from intact viable cancer cells was made by Block and colleagues in 1973,1 who suggested 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) might lead to pathologically relevant information. However, at this time 1H was not the favored nucleus since adequate water suppression was difficult and small resonances were swamped by a much larger water signal. Carbon-13 (13C) MRS2 and phosphorus-31 (31P MRS3 were the preferred methods for monitoring cellular metabolism and intact viable cells and organs..