Non-Melanocytic Lesions

The term “non-melanocytic lesion” is used to describe changes in the epidermis due to various factors. Especially chronic light damage or infections with certain viruses are the primary causes. In contrast with melanocytic lesions, non-melanocytic lesions are defined in a multiphase process. Frequent non-melanocytic lesions are, for example, actinic keratosis or Morbus Bowen, a preliminary stage of the Squamous cell carcinoma.

The white to reddish-brown scaly actinic keratosis can turn into a malignant squamous cell carcinoma or spinocellular carcinoma after years of latency. Morbus Bowen has eczema-like symptoms. Morbus Bowen is already a true carcinoma in situ, which may also become a squamous cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinomas are formed from the deepest layer of the epidermis, the basal cells. They often start out as flat little papules with a shiny surface and can even damage bones and cartilage in their immediate vicinity.

The earlier that precancerous stages of non-melanocytic lesions are detected, the better their prognosis. As soon as metastases have formed, the chance of a cure is significantly reduced. In vivo examinations with VivaScopes are therefore highly beneficial in these cases as well: Images produced by the VivaScope 1500 and the VivaScope3000 enable dermatologists to diagnose basal cell carcinomas promptly, non-invasively, and accurately. Pigmented basal cell carcinomas or difficult to define keratosis are reliably distinguished from melanocytic lesions, squamous cell carcinoma and different stages of actinic keratosis are also detected reliably by physicians utilising images produced by the VivaScope product portfolio while yielding the same detection rate as traditional methods without changing or destroying tissue – which can be used for subsequent examinations or diagnoses.

[1] Segura S, Puig S, Carrera C, Palou J, Malvehy J: “Dendritic Cells in Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma.” Arch Dermatol. 2007: 881-884.
[2] Agero AL, Busam KJ, Benvenuto-Andrade C, Scope A, Gill M, Marghoob AA, González S, Halpern AC: “Reflectance Confocal Microscopy of Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006; 54(4): 638-43.
[3] Ulrich M, Forschner T, Rowert-Huber J, González S, Stockfleth E: “Differentiation between Actinic Keratoses and Disseminated Superficial Porokeratoses with Reflectance Confocal Microscopy.” Br J Dermatol. May 2007; 156 Suppl 3: 47-52.
[4] Ulrich M, Maltusch A, Rowert-Huber J, González S, Sterry W, Stockfleth E, Astner S: “Actinic keratosis: non-invasive diagnosis for field cancerisation.” British Journal of Dermatology. 2007; 156 (Suppl. 3): 13-17.

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