ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the importance and biology of cervical cancer, discusses techniques of technology assessment as applied to emerging technologies such as optical spectroscopy, describes the biological basis of cervical tissue autofluorescence, reviews clinical measurements and data analysis of in vivo cervical tissue fluorescence, and discusses approaches to evaluate new diagnostic technologies from several perspectives. A number of new clinical management strategies and new technologies have been proposed and tested to address the need to improve screening and detection of cervical cancer. Design and analysis of randomized clinical trials for the evaluation of diagnostic technology have been the subject of several excellent reviews. Measurement of in vivo tissue fluorescence from the cervix with good signal-to-noise ratios has been demonstrated in a number of clinical trials. The chapter reviews research to understand the biological basis for changes in optical spectra as cervical precancer develops. It concludes by discussing limitations and future directions for optical assessment of cervical neoplasia.
