Technical Note: Noninvasive mid‐IR fiber‐optic evanescent wave spectroscopy (FEWS) for early detection of skin cancers

Abstract

Purpose Melanoma is the most lethal of the three primary skin cancers, including also basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which are less lethal. The accepted diagnosis process involves manually observing a suspicious lesion through a Dermascope (i.e., a magnifying glass), followed by a biopsy. This process relies on the skill and the experience of a dermatologist. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no accepted automatic, noninvasive, and rapid method for the early detection of the three types of skin cancer, distinguishing between them and noncancerous lesions, and identifying each of them. It is our aim to develop such a system. Methods We developed a fiber‐optic evanescent wave spectroscopy (FEWS) system based on middle infrared (mid‐IR) transmitting AgClBr fibers and a Fourier‐transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). We used the system to perform mid‐IR spectral measurements on suspicious lesions in 90 patients, before biopsy, in situ, and in real time. The lesions were then biopsied and sent for pathology. The spectra were analyzed and the differences between pathological and healthy tissues were found and correlated. Results Five of the lesions measured were identified as melanomas, seven as BCC, and three as SCC. Using mathematical analyses of the spectra of these lesions we were able to tell that all were skin cancers and we found specific and easily identifiable differences between them. Conclusions This FEWS method lends itself to rapid, automatic and noninvasive early detection and characterization of skin cancers. It will be easily implemented in community clinics and has the potential to greatly simplify the diagnosis process.

A Review of Recent Advances in Computer-Aided Detection Methods Using Hyperspectral Imaging Engineering to Detect Skin Cancer

“…Different types of skin cancer, including BCC, SCC, SK, and non-epithelial skin cancer, are shown in Figure 1 [114]. Due to the fact that traditional technology does not place an emphasis on spatial and spectral information, a normal eye or smart phone is unable to identify melanoma and BCC in the early stages of skin cancer [115][116][117][118]. Over the course of the last several years, scientists from a wide variety of disciplines have collaborated on the expansion and development of novel dermoscopic technologies for the early diagnosis of skin cancer, as well as the formulation of diagnostic criteria and computer algorithms [119][120][121].…”

“…Notably, the emphasis is on the significance of these findings, highlighting the specific studies that contribute significantly to the meta-analysis and elucidating how different CAD techniques and geographic factors influence skin cancer detection outcomes. This research not only offers insights into the state-of-the-art in skin cancer detection but also Due to the fact that traditional technology does not place an emphasis on spatial and spectral information, a normal eye or smart phone is unable to identify melanoma and BCC in the early stages of skin cancer [115][116][117][118]. Over the course of the last several years, scientists from a wide variety of disciplines have collaborated on the expansion and development of novel dermoscopic technologies for the early diagnosis of skin cancer, as well as the formulation of diagnostic criteria and computer algorithms [119][120][121].…”

Multi-physical quantity sensing based on magnetized plasma spherical photonic crystals with evanescent wave

“…The angle and position of the prism can be finely adjusted to precisely control the characteristics and direction of the evanescent waves [21]. This technique finds extensive utility across various domains, including evanescent wave spectroscopy, near-field microscopy, and surface plasmon resonance sensing [22][23][24]. Researchers leverage this method to explore and manipulate the properties of evanescent waves, which carry valuable insights into the near-field interactions and surface properties of materials.…”