FT-IR microimaging spectroscopy: A comparison between healthy and neoplastic human colon tissues

FT-IR microimaging was performed on colon tissues with the aim to characterize spectral ‘markers’ to distinguish healthy from pathological tissues. Evidences of spectral peculiarities were mainly found in the finger print region even in the presence of a low grade adenocarcinoma. The occurrence of inflammation and necrotic states can also be demonstrated. Through statistical analysis as well as custom map procedures it was possible to reconstruct the topological distribution of different biochemical states and to verify results from the histopathological analysis. Preliminary results from FT-NIR analysis are in substantial agreement with those in the mid infrared region.