Using advanced microscopy to improve surgery for skin cancers
Confocal video-mosaicking microscopy to guide surgery of superficially spreading skin cancers
This study is testing a new way to help doctors better see and remove skin cancers during surgery, so patients can have less healthy skin taken out and fewer unnecessary biopsies, leading to better results for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10651700 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the surgical treatment of superficially spreading skin cancers, such as lentigo maligna melanomas and non-melanoma skin cancers, which often have unclear margins. By employing reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), the study aims to noninvasively map the cancer margins directly on patients, enhancing the accuracy of surgical excisions. This method seeks to reduce unnecessary biopsies and minimize the loss of healthy skin tissue by providing clearer imaging of the cancerous areas. The approach is designed to improve patient outcomes by ensuring that more accurate surgical margins are identified and treated.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older patients diagnosed with superficially spreading skin cancers who require surgical intervention.
Not a fit: Patients with non-superficially spreading skin cancers or those who do not require surgical treatment may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more precise surgeries for skin cancer patients, reducing the need for extensive biopsies and preserving healthy skin.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results with reflectance confocal microscopy in guiding diagnosis, indicating potential for success in this novel application for surgical guidance.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rajadhyaksha, Milind — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Rajadhyaksha, Milind
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.