Pattern analysis, i.e. simultaneous assessment of the diagnostic value of all dermoscopy features shown by the lesion, proved to be the most reliable procedure for melanoma diagnosis to be taught to residents in dermatology.

We have used a multidimensional non-linear laser imaging approach to visualize ex-vivo samples of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). A combination of several non-linear laser imaging techniques involving fluorescence lifetime, multispectral two-photon and second-harmonic generation imaging has been used to image different skin layers. This approach has elucidated some morphological (supported by histopathological images), biochemical, and physiochemical differences of the healthy samples with respect to BCC ones. In particular, in comparison with normal skin, BCC showed a blue-shifted fluorescence emission, a higher fluorescence response at 800 nm excitation wavelength and a slightly longer mean fluorescence lifetime. Finally, the use of aminolevulinic acid as a contrast agent has been demonstrated to increase the constrast in tumor border detection. The results obtained provide further support for in-vivo non-invasive imaging of Basal Cell Carcinoma.

We investigated different kinds of human ex-vivo skin samples by combined two-photon intrinsic fluorescence (TPE), second-harmonic generation microscopy (SHG), fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), and multispectral two-photon emission detection (MTPE). Morphological and spectroscopic differences were found between healthy and pathological skin samples, including tumors. In particular, we examined tissue samples from normal and pathological scar tissue (keloid), and skin tumors, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and malignant melanoma (MM). By using combined TPE-SHG microscopy we investigated morphological features of different skin regions. Further comparative analysis of healthy skin and neoplastic samples was performed using FLIM, and MTPE. Finally, we demonstrated the use of methyl-aminolevulinate as a contrast agent to increase the contrast in BCC border detection. The results obtained represent further support for in-vivo noninvasive imaging of diseased skin.

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