Researchers in Germany have revealed a new method that could allow for the detection of skin cancer before any visible signs appear on the skin's surface, in a step that could help diagnose the disease at an early stage.
This approach was developed by a team from Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), led by Dr. Moritz Runnicke from the Department of Dermatology at Erlangen University Hospital, using AI-supported “line-mode confocal optical coherence tomography” (LC-OCT) technology.
The researchers relied on a systematic examination of the faces of patients at high risk of developing skin cancer, and were able for the first time to detect basal cell carcinoma before visible changes appeared on the skin.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer worldwide. Although it usually grows locally, it can destroy surrounding tissue and may damage sensitive areas such as the nose and eyes when it appears on the face. Early detection allows for less invasive treatment options, and in some cases, treatment may be limited to the use of a topical cream.
LC-OCT technology combines optical coherence tomography and confocal microscopy, enabling real-time vertical, horizontal, and three-dimensional images of the skin with micrometer-level resolution. These images help clinicians visualize changes within the skin and identify areas requiring further examination.
Artificial intelligence can also analyze images and display a color-coded probability index indicating the likelihood of basal cell carcinoma, while the final diagnostic decision remains the responsibility of the physician.
Researchers believe that the routine use of this approach, referred to as "SUBSCAN", in the future could help detect basal cell carcinoma at a very early stage, and perhaps expand the use of topical treatments and reduce the need for surgery in some cases.
However, the technology is still in the evaluation phase and cannot be used routinely at present, due to a lack of data regarding its sensitivity, in addition to the fact that the examination still takes a long time.
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