Abstract

Polarized Raman microspectroscopy can provide precious information regarding the orientation and ordering of the molecules in a sample without staining or particular preparation. This technique is used for the first time on a human skin section to probe the molecular modifications of the surrounding dermis in superficial basal cell carcinoma. Spectra using polarized and conventional Raman microspectroscopies were recorded on dermis bordering either the tumor or healthy epidermis. Band areas and spectral decomposition on selected vibrations were computed. Significant differences in dermal collagen vibration bands are detected using both polarized and conventional micro-spectroscopies, but the spectral changes between tumor and healthy tissues are enhanced using polarized Raman microspectroscopy. The analysis of these spectral differences highlights structural modifications of the triple helix of collagen. We see polarized Raman microspectroscopy as a potential tool that could be implemented for clinical analyses to guide clinicians and surgeons in the treatment of aggressive skin cancers. The information obtainable could also help better elucidate the molecular mechanisms induced in basal cell carcinoma development.

Biophysical basis of skin cancer margin assessment using Raman spectroscopy

Xu Feng, Matthew C. Fox, Jason S. Reichenberg, Fabiana C. P. S. Lopes, Katherine R. Sebastian, Mia K. Markey, and James W. Tunnell
Biomed. Opt. Express 10(1) 104-118 (2019)

Multidimensional non-linear laser imaging of Basal Cell Carcinoma

R. Cicchi, D. Massi, S. Sestini, P. Carli, V. De Giorgi, T. Lotti, and F. S. Pavone
Opt. Express 15(16) 10135-10148 (2007)

Automated multimodal spectral histopathology for quantitative diagnosis of residual tumour during basal cell carcinoma surgery

Radu Boitor, Kenny Kong, Dustin Shipp, Sandeep Varma, Alexey Koloydenko, Kusum Kulkarni, Somaia Elsheikh, Tom Bakker Schut, Peter Caspers, Gerwin Puppels, Martin van der Wolf, Elena Sokolova, T. E. C. Nijsten, Brogan Salence, Hywel Williams, and Ioan Notingher
Biomed. Opt. Express 8(12) 5749-5766 (2017)

Photoacoustic imaging of periorbital skin cancer ex vivo: unique spectral signatures of malignant melanoma, basal, and squamous cell carcinoma

Magne Tordengren Stridh, Jenny Hult, Aboma Merdasa, John Albinsson, Agnes Pekar-Lukacs, Bodil Gesslein, Ulf Dahlstrand, Karl Engelsberg, Johanna Berggren, Magnus Cinthio, Rafi Sheikh, and Malin Malmsjö
Biomed. Opt. Express 13(1) 410-425 (2022)

Clinical integration of fast Raman spectroscopy for Mohs micrographic surgery of basal cell carcinoma

Radu Boitor, Coen de Wolf, Frank Weesie, Dustin W. Shipp, Sandeep Varma, David Veitch, Aaron Wernham, Alexey Koloydenko, Gerwin Puppels, Tamar Nijsten, Hywel C. Williams, Peter Caspers, and Ioan Notingher
Biomed. Opt. Express 12(4) 2015-2026 (2021)