Optical probe for skin cancer screening developed at UBC. Credit: UBC

Researcher Daniel Louie, a PhD student constructed a new compact laser probe can distinguish between harmless moles and melanoma in a matter of seconds as part of his studies in biomedical engineering at the University of British Columbia.

“We set out to develop this technology using inexpensive materials, so the final device would be easy to manufacture and widely used as a preliminary screening tool for skin cancer.”

The probe works on the principle that light waves change as they pass through objects.

The researchers aimed a laser into skin tissue from volunteer patients and studied the changes that occurred to this light beam.

“Because cancer cells are denser, larger and more irregularly shaped than normal cells, they cause distinctive scattering in the light waves as they pass through,” said Louie.

“We were able to invent a novel way to interpret these patterns instantaneously.”

Imaging devices to assist cancer detection are not new, but this optical probe can extract measurements without needing expensive lenses or cameras, and it can provide a more easily interpreted numerical result like those of a thermometer.

Although the probe’s components cost only a few hundred dollars total, it is not envisioned to be a consumer product.

Melanoma

“A cancer screening tool should be administered by a trained health care professional who would know where the patient needs to go afterwards,” said Tim Lee, an associate professor of skin science and dermatology at UBC and a senior scientist at both BC Cancer and the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, who supervised the work.

He believes the device would be a good future addition to standard cancer screening methods, but not a replacement.

Noting that about 7,200 new cases of melanoma are reported every year in Canada, Lee believes the probe can promote early detection of this cancer.

“We have so few dermatologists relative to the growing number of skin cancers that are occurring,” said Lee.

“If we can develop a device that can be integrated easily into other parts of the health care system, we can simplify the screening process and potentially save hundreds if not thousands of lives.”

The study, described in the Journal of Biomedical Optics, involved 69 lesions from 47 volunteer patients at the Vancouver General Hospital Skin Care Centre and is a joint project among UBC, BC Cancer and VCHRI.

For their next steps, the researchers hope to eventually achieve Health Canada certification and approval before being able to offer this testing through health professionals.

This will require further refinement of their technology and additional clinical testing in more patients.

See also
New guidelines for skin cancer diagnosis still allow for error (2018-05-20)
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Study examines accuracy and reproducibility of melanoma biopsy findings (2017-07-05)
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A new method for detecting melanoma (2016-08-19)
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Detecting skin cancer quickly (2015-06-08)
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Indoor tanning-related skin cancers cost US healthcare $343 million a year (2017-03-07)
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With melanin, sun damage continues long after exposure (2015-06-29)
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Microbiota Modulate Tumoral Immune Surveillance in Lung (2014-08-07)
Link…

A new cancer immunotherapy method could be effective against a wide range of cancers (2014-05-12)
Link…

Gut Microbes May Affect Cancer Treatment (2013-12-10)
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For more information
Journal of Biomedical Optics
Degree of optical polarization as a tool for detecting melanoma: proof of principle
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The University of British Columbia (UBC)
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Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute VCHRI
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MDN

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