Our Funds at Work

Computer analysis of images from a laser microscope of moles (nevi) and melanoma to improve the early diagnosis of skin cancer.

Richard G. B. Langley MD, QEII Health Sciences Centre, CDHA, Halifax, NS

The overall objective of this project is to improve the early diagnosis of melanoma by rigorous and defined examination of skin lesions with non-invasive techniques. This is it health issue of direct importance to Canadians in that rates of melanoma have been steadily increasing and improvements in the ability to diagnose melanoma could improve patient survival.

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 perfect, however. 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 pre1iminary work suggests we are able to discriminate between benign and malignant lesions. Knowledge gained from our studies will have direct relevance to clinical practice to improve the early diagnosis of skin cancer, reduce unnecessary biopsies and improve surgical planning.

(C2006)