Five patients with Barrett's metaplastic epithelium were investigated by means of laser- induced fluorescence after low-dose i.v. injection (0.35 mg/kg b.w.) of PhotofrinR in connection with endoscopy procedures. The excitation wavelength was 405 nm. Recorded fluorescence spectra were evaluated by forming ratios with the photosensitizer fluorescence as numerator and the autofluorescence as denominator. Two patients had no evidence of malignancy and their fluorescence ratios were consequently rather small, whereas the other three patients had adenocarcinoma and showed considerably higher ratios. The results indicate that laser-induced fluorescence can be used as an aid in detecting malignant transformations in Barrett's metaplasia.