Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and tumour detection.

High resolution proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a powerful technology in the study of tumour cell membranes. Lipid domains in the plasma membrane are the origin of high resolution spectra seen in tumour cells, and changes in those domains can be correlated not only with changes in lipid and carbohydrate components of the membrane, but also with changed tumour behaviour, ie metastatic capacity, and sensitivity to cytotoxic drug treatment. An understanding of the biological importance of lipid changes in the cell membrane paves the way to high resolution spectroscopy being useful in classifying tumours, and perhaps in tumour imaging.