1. A method for the detection and visualization of the spatial distribution of tissue states of a tissue section comprising: a) preparing the tissue section for a mass spectrometric analysis on a support; b) at each of a plurality of localized spots physically spaced apart along one or two dimensions of the tissue section, performing a measurement with a mass spectrometer that produces a primary ion mass spectrum with a plurality of mass signals for that spot; c) at each of the plurality of spots, combining at least two different mass signals of the plurality of mass signals produced at that spot, the two different mass signals representing two different substances, with predetermined mathematical or logical expressions to generate a combination value that represents a tissue characteristic at that spot; and d) displaying the combination values generated in step (c) at the corresponding physical spot positions to provide a visualization of the spatial distribution of tissue states of the tissue section.