ABSTRACT
The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 570,000 cancer deaths will occur in 2005 in United States.[1] The key to achieving the desired patient prognosis is to detect cancer in the early stages. Among various diagnosis modalities, optical detection stands out for its potential of safety to patients and health professionals with nonionizing radiation, noninvasive nature of detection, high spatial resolution, and modest cost of equipment. Optical detection of cancers is a vast subject that has attracted intensive research efforts over the last few decades. It is therefore impossible to survey the field in a relative short essay like the current one. Instead, we will focus on the in vivo results that may lead to the noninvasive staging of dysplasia and cancers. Some in vitro data will be included here to reflect the historical development of a method or when in vivo results are not available.
