Towards rapid high-resolution mid-IR imaging for molecular spectral histopathological diagnosis of oesophageal cancers

Modem western societies suffer from diseases of civilization which are mainly associated with smoking, fatty diets and obesity. One of those is the Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) often also loosely called heartburn. GERD can in some cases lead to an abnormal change of cells (metaplasia) in the lining of the oesophagus.

This syndrome is defined as Barrett's oesophagus (BO). If the oesophagus suffers from reflux of acid (heartburn) it can protect itself by replacing the normal stratified squamous epithelium by acid resistant columnar epithelium with goblet cells usually found lower in the gastrointestinal tract. These cells growing in an area where they usually do not belong, have a significantly higher risk to degenerate into cancers.

These conditions are evaluated by performing endoscopy with harvest of biopsies. Biopsies are then cut and stained with haematoxylin and eosin and assessed by a pathologist. Patients diagnosed with BO undergo a regular surveillance in order to monitor if the metaplasia progresses into dysplasia or adenocarcinoma.