Spectroscopy used to identify brain tumor in mice
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.027322
Science News : Brain surgery to remove tumors has traditionally relied on visual clues such as texture and color to determine tumor boundaries. But because those characteristics are not definitive, surgeons risk removing some healthy tissue as well. Now Raman spectroscopy has been used successfully to differentiate more precisely between a brain tumor and healthy tissue. Sunney Xie of Harvard University and colleagues used a small probe equipped with a laser to examine human brain-tumor cells implanted in live mice. Because tumors have more protein than does healthy tissue, the technique can very accurately delineate the tumor margin. Several more years of testing will be needed before the procedure is approved for human patients.
