A study looking at a possible test to help diagnose melanoma skin cancer

This study is looking at a new system called a ‘Skin Analyser’ that takes detailed pictures and shows the texture of abnormal areas of skin.

If you have a mole that may be a cause for concern, one of the tests you may have is called SIAscopy. SIAscopy uses a handheld scanner to shine light onto and into the mole. The scanner shows pictures of the mole’s blood supply, melanin and collagen on a computer screen. The doctor or nurse can then see if there is anything unusual in the mole, which may suggest melanoma skin cancer.

Other features that help doctors to work out whether a mole is cancerous are the ‘3 Dimensional (3D)’ shape, and how smooth or bumpy the mole surface is. Researchers have built another type of scanner called the ‘Skin Analyser’. This uses a camera and LED lights to take a series of pictures of the skin. A computer then combines these pictures to create a ‘bump map’ of the skin.

Researchers are using the Skin Analyser to look at areas of abnormal skin, such as moles or skin blemishes, in people with and without suspected skin cancer. They will then look at this information along with results from SIAscopy and physical examination. They hope to use this information to develop a system that can spot suspected skin cancer as accurately as possible.

You will not have any direct benefit from taking part in this study, and it will not change your treatment plan in any way. But the results of the study may help patients with skin conditions or suspected melanoma in the future.

Recruitment

Start 01/10/2007

End 31/05/2012

Phase

Other

Who can enter

You can enter this study if you

Are a patient under the care of the Frenchay Hospital, Bristol
Have a mole, a wound which has now healed or any other skin condition which needs to be looked at in the skin clinic
Are at least 18 years of age

Trial design

This study will recruit up to 1000 people.

During your clinic appointment, one of the study team will take pictures with the scanner of the area of skin your doctor is looking at. They will take pictures of the abnormal area, and an area of healthy skin close by. This will take about 5 minutes.

If you return to clinic for another appointment, the team will ask if you would be willing to have more pictures taken. You do not have to if you don’t want to.

The team may also ask your permission to look at the results of any biopsy you may have had.

Hospital visits

The study team will take pictures of your skin with the scanner during your clinic appointment. So you will not have to make any extra hospital visits to take part in this study.