Abstract
We studied the laparoscopic observation of autofluorescence in human hepatoma and liver cirrhosis excited by argon laser light stimulation. In three cases of hepatoma out of 5, the autofluorescence was clearly observed just indentically in the area of hepatoma, stronger in the periphery. The autofluorescence was usually observed heterogenously, not homogeneously, in the tumor. In one case of liver cirrhosis out of 4, the autofluorescence was recognized on the cirrhotic nodule, in which hepatocelluar carcinoma was possibly ruled out. On the other hand, the same study was done on the cut surface of the three autopsied livers with hepatoma. In all liver cut surface of the three cases, the area of hepatoma showed the strong autofluorescence, which was sharply demarcated from the surrounding area. In the other non-cancerous areas, however, such as liver capsule, liver fibers and vessel walls, the autofluorescence was also recognized. It is not sure yet what of element the tumor does emit the autofluorescence and there is any difference in wave length between the autofluorescence observed in the tumor and other non-cancerous tissues. But these obtained experimental phenomena in the study would surely promise that the present method of laser laparoscopy is an useful diagnostic procedure for early detection of small hepatoma, only if it is located on the surface of the liver at least.
