Raman spectroscopy and cancer cells

Raman spectroscopy has the potential to provide diagnostic information to the clinician. The technique has a number of advantages allowing individual cells to be interrogated without staining. With further developments in technology, the surgeon will be able to rapidly acquire accurate diagnostic information at the time of operation using fibre optic Raman probes. Improvements in signal detection and data analysis, like modulated Raman spectroscopy, will allow the rapid acquisition and analysis of spectra. There is also considerable potential in screening tissue fluids for cancer cells in order to facilitate early detection and for follow up after surgery for cancer. Collaborations between clinicians, pathologists and physicists are opening up new areas in this rapidly developing field