Our Funds at Work

The diagnosis of skin cancer with a non-invasive microscope

Richard G. B. Langley, MD, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

The overall objective of this multidisciplinary project is to improve the early diagnosis of skin cancer, by rigorous and defined examination of skin lesions with non-invasive techniques. Recognizing and distinguishing benign from malignant skin lesions may reduce the removal of benign lesions, and improve survival by early detection of malignant lesions. Skin cancers such as cutaneous melanoma can be cured if diagnosed and surgically excised at an early stage, however, the survival decreases as the diagnosis is delayed and the lesion becomes thicker. Physician ability to diagnose skin cancer is not that perfect, however, leading to research into noninvasive clinical diagnostic tools. Our group has piloted and published the first clinical results with a novel non-invasive instrument, an in vivo Confocal Scanning Laser Microscope (CSLM) in pigmented lesions. Our preliminary work suggests we are able to discriminate between benign and malignant lesions by visualization of certain characteristics consistent with these lesions. More recently we have extended these results with investigators into benign lesions which may simulate melanoma, and diagnostic accuracy projects. Knowledge gained from our studies will have direct relevance to clinical practice in dermatology to improve the early diagnosis of skin cancer, reduce unnecessary surgeries, and improve surgical planning.

©2007