Intraoperative Assessment of Resection Margin in Oral Cancer: The Potential Role of Spectroscopy

Abstract

In parallel with the increasing number of oncological cases, the need for faster and more efficient diagnostic tools has also appeared. Different diagnostic approaches are available, such as radiological imaging or histological staining methods, but these do not provide adequate information regarding the resection margin, intraoperatively, or are time consuming. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on spectrometric diagnostic modalities suitable for intraoperative use, with an emphasis on their relevance in the management of oral cancer. The literature agrees on the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of spectrometric diagnostic modalities, but further long-term prospective, multicentric clinical studies are needed, which may standardize the intraoperative assessment of the resection margin and the use of real-time spectroscopic approaches.

Assessment of the Electrolyte Heterogeneity of Tissues in Mandibular Bone-Infiltrating Head and Neck Cancer Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

“…The highly complex anatomy of the head and neck region, defined by a high density of important structures within a limited space, has already led to the increased use of innovative spectroscopic techniques for the real-time assessment of resection margin status in oral cancer [ 16 ]. Tumors with bony involvement in particular represent a glaring deficit in the care of head and neck tumor patients because the fact that no methods for rapid bone analysis have been established to date describes a fundamental problem of oncological safety [ 17 , 18 ].…”