Fluorescence spectroscopy is a technique for
evaluating the physical and chemical properties
of a substance by analyzing the intensity and
character of light emitted in the form of fluorescence.
Although this technique has been used extensively
for over a hundred years in other scientific
fields, fluorescence spectroscopy has only
relatively recently been investigated for use in
the medical field. Technological advances now allow
subtle alterations in tissue architecture and
biochemical composition induced by processes
such as dysplasia and inflammation to be detected
in real time noninvasively using fluorescence
spectroscopy. Although much research remains
to be done, it appears that this technique
has great potential to bridge the gap between
clinical examination and invasive biopsy and thus
facilitate the early detection and diagnosis of neoplastic
changes. This article will review some of
the recent work investigating the technique of optical
spectroscopy and its potential for the detection
and diagnosis of neoplasia of the upper aerodigestive
tract.