Thermography in the Study of Superficial and Semisuperficial Neoplastic Processes

Abstract

A thermographic investigation using an AGA-Thermovision equipment was carried out to evaluate the temperature changes that can be recorded in various superficial and semisuperficial malignant neoplastic diseases. Diseases of the breast and thyroid were excluded deliberately since they, especially the former, have been studied extensively by other workers. 65 cases of tumor were studied, including primary lesions, recurrences and metastases; some of the cases had not been treated whereas others had undergone either surgery or irradiation. The thermographic evidence collected included direct and indirect signs and must in any case be assessed in conjunction with the clinical evidence and history. The data are of interest both for the purposes of evaluating the biological characteristics of the neoplasm, primary or secondary, and documenting the changes that follow radiotherapy and hence their radiobiological behavior.

Thermal patterns of squamous cell carcinoma and actinic tumours

“…Infrared thermal (IRT) imaging is a non-ionizing, non-contact, non-invasive and fast technique that is able to detect skin surface temperature variations [4], [5]. When the formation of a skin tumour occurs, physiological mechanisms are disrupted in lesion site, causing shifts in temperature values that are passible of being assessed with this imaging method [6]. Its implementation can be static, or dynamic (through the application of a thermal, chemical or mechanical stimulus to the affected area), involving the latter the stimulation of lesion site to enhance underlying features, being the whole procedure object of IRT screening.…”