Reflectance spectroscopy for in vivo characterization of ovarian tissue

Background and Objective: To explore whether reflectance spectroscopy can differentiate normal ovary, benign neoplasms, and ovarian cancer. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Reflectance spectra (390-600 nm) were measured at three source-detector separations (SDS) in vivo at 64 sites in 16 patients undergoing oophorectomy. Parameters with largest statistical differences were identified. Based an these parameters algorithms were developed and evaluated. Results: Promising parameters were the reflectance intensity from 540 to 580 nm (SDS, 1.1 mm), the slope of the reflectance spectrum from 490 to 520 nm (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 cancers. Average sensitivity and specificity were 86 +/- 4% and 80 +/- 8% to separate ovarian cancers from benign neoplasms and normal ovary. Conclusion: Reflectance spectroscopy should be further investigated for ovarian cancer screening. Lasers Surg. Med. 28:56-66, 2001 (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.