5-Aminolaevulinic Acid (ALA) for the Fluorescence Detection of Bronchial Tumors. Issue 2 (1999)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huber, Rudolf M.; Gamarra, F.; Hautmann, H.; Häußinger, K.; Wagner, S.; Castro, M.; Baumgartner, R.
• Is Part Of: Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. Volume 5:Issue 2(1999)
• Page Start: 113
• Page End: 118
• Publication Date: 1999
• Subjects: Endoscopy -- Periodicals; Endoscopie; Endoscopy; Endoscopy -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.07545
• DOI: 10.1155/DTE.5.113
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1070-3608

Abstract

Abstract : At the moment only early detection of lung cancer offers a good prognosis for the patients. Conventional white light endoscopy is mostly insufficient for early diagnosis. Therefore we developed a system of fluorescence diagnosis using 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) exogeneously applied. As precursor of the heme synthesis it is metabolized to protoporphyrin IX – a red fluorescent substance. Therefore protoporphyrin IX accumulates in tumorous and premalignant tissue, and can be directly visualized by fluorescence bronchoscopy. Excitation with blue light (380–435 nm) causes a red fluorescence, which can be detected after filtering most of the blue component with the naked eye or a camera system. After earlier work with laser systems and cold light sources we now use the system D-Light AF for the fluorescence diagnosis using ALA-induced protoporphyrin IX fluorescence.