Related Experiment Video For Autofluorescence
Updated: Dec 27, 2025
Combining Reflectance Confocal Microscopy with Optical Coherence Tomography for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Skin Cancers via Image Acquisition
Published on: August 18, 2022
Can fluorescence and autofluorescence imaging be useful in diagnosis of basal cell cancer? Proposition of algorithms
Sebastian Kwiatek1, Aleksandra Kawczyk-Krupka2, Ewa Mańka3
1Specialist Hospital No2, Department of Internal Diseases, Angiology and Physical Medicine, Center for Laser Diagnosis and Therapy, Batorego Street 15, 41-902 Bytom, Poland.
Background:
The most common non-melanoma skin carcinomas (NMSC) are basal cell carcinomas (BCC). Autofluorescence study may allow a non-invasive distinction of neoplastic lesions from benign lesions, whereas fluorescence spectroscopy enables qualification of the patient for possible photodynamic or surgical treatment. The aim of the study is to assess the suitability of autofluorescence and fluorescence imaging in the diagnosis of the stage of advancement, and the morphological type of changes in basal cell carcinoma of the skin.
Methods:
A group of 382 patients with 430 skin lesions of basal cell carcinoma were subjected to an autofluorescence study and a spectral imaging using a spectral camera. The acquired spectra and fluorescence images were analyzed using the Image Pro-Plus 5.0.2 software. An analysis of fluorescence intensity profiles in the long and short axis of the studied changes was carried out.
Results:
The fluorescence emission observed in BCC lesions with an area of up to 3 cm2 showed a statistically significantly higher level of intensity in comparison to changes in lesions exceeding 3 cm2 (#p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01). In the autofluorescence evaluation, we observed significant differences in the mean values of the Numerical Colour Value (NCV) depending on the size of the area of skin occupied by skin lesions. Based on the spatial and profile assessment of the types of BCC lesions a proposed algorithm for identifying changes was developed. Analysis of green fluorescence intensity profiles, analogous to fluorescence profiles analysis, allowed to propose an algorithm of autofluorescence evaluation in the diagnosis of BCC.
Conclusions:
Autofluorescence and fluorescence imaging allow assessment of the extent of neoplastic infiltration and distinguish types of skin lesions with BCC. The determined diagnostic algorithms may be an effective diagnostic solution in the diagnosis of skin lesions of this nature.
