Laser Based Diagnosis of Skin Cancer

Laser based diagnosis of skin cancer represents an important medical advancement in the study and treatment of skin based cancers.

Currently, the main technique for diagnosing skin cancer is a biopsy, where a segment of skin is cut and looked at under the microscope. But new medical advances coming from Duke University offer a laser based alternative.

In this laser based methodology, moles and other suspicious skin lesions are examined for their levels of hemoglobin and melanin, which are both early warning signs for skin cancer growth.

Hemoglobin and melanin do not respond to other laser methods, but this new method, developed by Warren Warren, excites these substances through the use of highly controlled laser pulses.

This would enable dermatologists to see more than a millimeter below the skin's surface; more than enough for accurate diagnosis.

This means that people can now be screened for skin cancer simply by being scanned by this special two laser device.

Work is underway to create a compact, office-based unit which dermatologists can use in their offices to provide quick and painless skin cancer screenings.