Tetracycline Fluorescence in Detecting Malignancy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to confirm and extend previous results for the diagnosis of cancer of the stomach with the tetracycline fluorescence test. We have obtained positive test results in 53 of 55 patients with proven cancer of the stomach. In 75 patients with benign gastric ulcer, three false-positive results were obtained. In 20 patients with achlorhydria, no false-positive results were obtained, and among 55 normal persons, there were four false-positives. The procedure was extended, with encouraging results, to diagnosing malignancies in fluids from the pleural cavity, lungs, peritoneum, pancreas, and biliary tract. The tetracycline fluorescence test is harmless, simple, relatively rapid, and, with careful observation of details, appears valuable for general clinical use.