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Combining Reflectance Confocal Microscopy with Optical Coherence Tomography for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Skin Cancers via Image Acquisition
Published on: August 18, 2022
Emerging Technologies for Timely Point-of-Care Diagnostics of Skin Cancer
Jarrod L Thomas1,2, Adrian H M Heagerty3,4, Pola Goldberg Oppenheimer1,2
1Advanced Nanomaterials Structures and Applications Laboratories School of Chemical Engineering College of Engineering and Physical Sciences University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT UK.
Abstract:
Skin cancer is a global health crisis and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A leading factor of malignancy remains the UV radiation, driving various biomolecular changes. With shifting population behaviors, deficiency in screening programs and reliance on self-presentation, climate change and the ageing world populace, global incidents have been surging alarmingly. There is an urgent need for new technologies to achieve timely intervention through rapid and accurate diagnostics of skin cancer. Raman spectroscopy has been emerging as a highly promising analytical technology for diagnostic applications, poised to outpace the current costly, invasive and slow procedures, frequently hindered by varying sensitivity, specificity and lack of portability. Herein, complex and intricate progress are overviewed and consolidated across medical and engineering disciplines with a focus on the latest advances in the traditional and emerging skin cancer diagnostics. Methods detecting structural and chemical responses are categorized along with emerging chemo-biophysical sensing techniques. Particular attention is drawn to Raman spectroscopy, as a non-invasive, rapid and accurate sensing of molecular fingerprints in dermatological matrix with an additional focus on artificial intelligence, as a decision support tool collectively, laying the platform toward development and rapid translation of point-of-care diagnostic technologies for skin cancer to real-world applications.
Insights
Skin cancer diagnosis needs faster, more accurate methods. Raman spectroscopy offers a non-invasive, rapid technique for detecting molecular changes, improving early skin cancer detection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology and Medical Diagnostics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Skin cancer is a global health concern, with rising incidence linked to UV radiation, population changes, and inadequate screening.
- Current diagnostic methods for skin cancer are often invasive, slow, costly, and lack portability, necessitating advancements in diagnostic technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and consolidate recent advancements in skin cancer diagnostics across medical and engineering fields.
- To highlight Raman spectroscopy and artificial intelligence as key technologies for developing rapid, accurate, point-of-care diagnostic tools for skin cancer.
Main Methods:
- Overview of traditional and emerging skin cancer detection methods, including chemo-biophysical sensing techniques.
- Focus on Raman spectroscopy for non-invasive molecular fingerprint detection in dermatological samples.
- Integration of artificial intelligence as a decision support tool for diagnostic accuracy.
Main Results:
- Raman spectroscopy demonstrates potential as a rapid, non-invasive diagnostic tool for skin cancer, offering molecular-level insights.
- The combination of Raman spectroscopy and AI can enhance diagnostic accuracy and support clinical decision-making.
- Progress is being made towards translating these technologies into practical point-of-care applications.
Conclusions:
- There is an urgent need for improved skin cancer diagnostics due to rising global incidents.
- Raman spectroscopy, augmented by artificial intelligence, presents a promising pathway for developing advanced, non-invasive, point-of-care diagnostic solutions for skin cancer.
- Further development and translation are crucial for real-world application and timely intervention in skin cancer management.
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