Optical coherence tomography aids photodynamic therapy in skin cancer treatment

March 31, 2011

Researchers have documented successful use of Michelson Diagnostics' VivoSight optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanner for in-vivo mapping of non-melanoma skin cancer, which they used throughout all stages of photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment.

Researchers have documented successful use of Michelson Diagnostics' (Orpington, England) VivoSight optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanner for in-vivo mapping of non-melanoma skin cancer, which they used throughout all stages of photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment.

Because PDT of non-melanoma skin cancer is noninvasive, it benefits the patient because this type of skin cancer frequently occurs on the face, where disfiguring scars are highly undesirable. However, because no tissue is removed for analysis in PDT, it can be difficult to ensure successful treatment of the tumor, limiting its clinical use. The case study shows that using the VivoSight OCT scanner to image skin before, during and after PDT treatment could solve this problem.

The VivoSight OCT scanner provides images of sub-surface tissue similar to ultrasound, but at far higher resolution, enabling the clinician to see critical details of the skin epidermis and dermis in real time. Michelson Diagnostics has already obtained the CE mark and FDA clearance for clinical use of the scanner in Europe and the U.S., and it is being evaluated at cancer clinics in Europe and the U.S.

The study was performed by Zaid Hamdoon and a team led by Colin Hopper at the Unit of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University College Hospital London, and was supported by Killing Cancer, a charity dedicated to helping successfully treat cancer patients with PDT.

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Posted by Lee Mather

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