Comparison of techniques for the non-invasive assessment of skin tumours

Abstract

In this investigation, four non‐invasive techniques were used to assess skin tumours. In particular a study was made to determine whether the malignant nature of a skin lesion could be obtained from these methods. Point thermometry using a thermocouple sensor did not yield any useful information. Skin blood flow measurements using the laser Doppler technique were Statistically significantly higher in malignant compared to benign lesions. Ultrasound Doppler assessment of deeper dermal blood flow was also used and gave only one false‐negative and three false‐positive readings when arbitrary threshold values were used in the detection of malignancy. In 24 patients with malignant melanoma there was a significant positive correlation between the value for dermal expansion obtained by ultrasound A‐scan measurement and the histological depth of the lesion. We believe that these preliminary studies indicate that these methods to assess skin tumours may he important clinically and should he further explored in the assessment of tumours prior to treatment.