Detection of Skin Cancer Using Transient/Thermal Imaging

The incidence of melanoma in the United States has been increasing dramatically over the past several years [1] with melanoma currently being the sixth most common cancer in the United States. At present, there are no systemic agents available that significantly extend the lifespan of patients with advanced disease and improved survival relies solely on early detection and adequate surgical management [2]. The need to improve the diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity for skin cancer while increasing biopsy efficiency yields to the implementation of imaging technologies in dermatology. Current in-vivo imaging tools in use including digital photography (total cutaneous imaging or imaging of individual lesions), and dermoscopy are highly subjective and without broadly applicable standards or quantitative criteria.