Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, which is caused due to uncontrolled growth of melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment from where it gets further released into our body. Unlike most other skin cancers, melanoma can metastasize and spread to other parts of the body if not diagnosed and treated at an early stage. Timely discovery is essential in increasing chances of survival for melanoma patients[1].
What is Melanoma?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that originates from melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells in the skin responsible for producing melanin that protects the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. But when melanocytes acquire genetic changes (mutations) that lead to uncontrolled growth, a malignant (cancerous) tumor can then form. Melanomas can appear on the skin suddenly, and are often misdiagnosed as blemishes. They may be found anywhere on the body but are more likely to occur on areas exposed to the sun, such as the back, legs, arms, and face. It can also develop on areas of the body that are less exposed, such as the soles of the feet and palms of the hands (known as palmoplantar psoriasis) or under your nails. Melanoma may also form in the eyes and internal organs, but this is rare[1].
Being informed about the subtypes of Melanoma is necessary as it helps in knowing more characterization about them.
Superficial Spreading Melanoma: It is the most common melanoma. It usually is a flat or slightly raised discolored patch of skin with jagged borders and is most commonly seen on the upper back or legs.
Nodular Melanoma: This is a fast-growing and deadly form of melanoma, usually presenting as a black bump on the skin. It will be found on any part of your body.
Lentigo Maligna Melanoma: Seen primarily in older people, this type develops as a large, flat tan or brown patch of skin that progresses to become darker and larger.
Acral Lentiginous Melanoma (ALM): Found on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or under the nails, this rare type is more common among people with darker skin.
Amelanotic Melanoma: This one doesn't have the dark pigment melanin making it difficult to identify as melanoma. It is usually a pink or red, bump-like sore.
Risk Factors for Melanoma
Many factors may increase the risk of developing melanoma:
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV): Excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun and artificial sources such as tanning beds is a major risk factor.
Fair Skin: People with a fair complexion, blonde or red hair, and blue or grey eyes are at higher risk of developing melanoma due to less melanin.
Family History: If you have a family history of melanoma, you are more likely to develop the disease.
Moles: The more moles you have, the higher your risk of getting melanoma.
Immune Suppression: Those with weakened immune systems, like organ transplant recipients.
Genetic Factors: Specific genetic mutations can increase the risk of melanoma for a few individuals[1].
In many cases, susceptibility to melanoma may be attributed to hereditary influences.
Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma
Detecting Melanoma at an Early Stage can change the Treatment Outcome. The ABCDE rule is a guide to help you identify possible melanomas:
Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
Border: Irregular, ragged, or blurred.
Color: Not always consistent in color; it can almost be dark black or can have shades of brown, pink, red, white, and even blue.
Size: The mole is larger than 6mm in diameter (the size of an eraser on a pencil).
Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, itching, or bleeding.
If Melanoma is Suspected
If the signs may be melanoma, a biopsy will be required to examine a sample of the questionable tissue. There are various types of biopsies:
Excisional Biopsy: The entire mole or growth is cut away. In some cases, only a portion of the growth is removed and examined (called an incisional biopsy).
Punch Biopsy: The removal of a small skin sample using a small, circular tool.
Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy: Cells are removed from lymph nodes or other parts of the body where melanoma may have spread[1].
Staging and Treatment
The staging process has many features based on the thickness of the tumor, number and location of lymph nodes involved, presence or absence of ulceration. Stages are grouped from 0 (in situ, meaning the cancer cells are confined to the outer layer of skin) to IV (spread to other parts of your body). Treatment options for melanoma arising from the skin include:
Surgery: The primary treatment where the tumor and surrounding tissues are removed.
Immunotherapy: Utilizes the immune system to combat cancer.
Biologic Therapy: Concentrates on particular genetic anomalies within cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells, but is not very effective for treating melanoma.
Radiation Therapy: Functions by using powerful rays to kill and shrink cancer cells.
Clinical Trials: Studies to research new treatments or procedures[2].
The Role of Imaging and AI in Early Detection of Melanoma
The development of imaging techniques and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect melanoma at an earlier stage is one of the most promising fields that have made significant advancements in early detection. This could help improve the accuracy of melanoma diagnosis and speed up cancer treatment[2].
Skin Cancer Detection Using Lighting Imaging
Lighting imaging (also known as multispectral imaging or optical imaging) is the process where several different light wavelengths are used to take pictures of the skin. This method can enhance imaging of differences in skin tissue, which may not be visible to the naked eye and help with identifying abnormalities such as melanoma.
Noninvasive: Another important aspect of lighting imaging is that it does not interfere or change the state of the cells in a molecular sense. It enables observation and analysis of dermal lesions non-invasively, reducing discomfort and risk for the patients. In addition, lighting imaging can give real-time results, allowing for immediate evaluation and decision-making.
How Lighting Imaging Works
Lighting imaging systems use light of varying wavelengths (e.g., visible, near-infrared, or ultraviolet light) to scan the skin. Every single light has different properties of interacting with skin tissues, presenting a custom part of the structure and composition of the skin. These systems can detect melanoma by looking at the way light is absorbed, reflected, or scattered by the skin[2].
Advantages of Light Imaging
Non-destructive: The process of removing tissue is unnecessary, and patient distress can be alleviated.
Results in Real-Time: Real-time feedback means real-time decisions.
Improved Precision: Detects minute variations in skin texture that can go undetected by the human eye.
Stage Detection: Potential melanomas are diagnosed before they progress to advanced stages of cancer.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Skin Cancer Early Diagnosis & Detection
AI is positively impacting dermatologic disease recognition and skin cancer diagnosis. Because imaging systems are powered by artificial intelligence, they can take in and analyze a large amount of data while learning what patterns are potentially indicative of melanoma with great accuracy. Most AI-powered imaging systems are trained on large datasets of benign and malignant skin images. By analyzing these images, AI algorithms learn to recognize the features and patterns of different types of skin cancer. For a new image, the AI might measure its distance from these old images and perform a diagnosis based on the nearest neighbor to which they belong in this high-dimensional space[2].
Advantages of AI-Powered Imaging
High Accuracy: AI can correctly identify melanoma as well as or even better than skilled dermatologists.
Early Detection: With the correct diagnosis, AI can advance early detection and proper care for skin cancer. This AI will not only provide more consistent and objective insights but also prevent any risk of human error.
Efficiency: AI analyzes images much faster, allowing for rapid results and timely intervention.
Reach: AI-powered solutions can be deployed in a range of environments, including hard-to-reach or remote places, thereby increasing the availability of early detection services.
AI + Lighting Imaging: A Winning Combo
Combining light imaging technology with AI has proven to be one of the best methods for melanoma screening. When used in combination with the highly detailed images generated by lighting imaging, AI analysis lends even greater accuracy and efficiency to the identification of skin cancer[2].
Accelerating Image Analysis
AI algorithms dissect the intricate data captured by lighting imaging systems, detecting subtle variations in skin tissue that might indicate melanoma. The richer analysis it provides contributes to improved early detection of irregularities and more accurate diagnosis[2].
Early Detection
Early detection is critical to improved patient outcomes in melanoma. This allows for earlier treatment of melanoma so that successful intervention can occur and the risk of cancer spreading to other parts of your body is decreased[2].
Take Home Messages
Melanoma is one of the most lethal and aggressive forms of skin cancer, with early diagnosis being vital to patient survival. Yet, advances in imaging and AI can transform this by spotting the signs before they develop. Imaging and AI systems using lighting provide a non-invasive, accurate, and fast method to detect melanoma in its early stages, leading to a greater chance of successful treatment in patients. With further evolution, these technologies have the potential to revolutionize skin cancer care and save numerous lives[2].
1. Cancer Council Australia [1].
2. Ai Mediscan [2].
Comments