Using line-field confocal OCT to map Mohs surgery margins for basal cell carcinoma

Pilot Study of Line-Field Confocal Optical Coherence Tomography for Detection of Mohs Micrographic Surgery Margins of Basal Cell Carcinomas

NA · Roswell Park Cancer Institute · NCT07182240

This tests whether line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) can noninvasively show the edges of basal cell carcinomas in adults scheduled for Mohs surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorRoswell Park Cancer Institute (other)
Locations1 site (Buffalo, New York)
Trial IDNCT07182240 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This single-center pilot will use LC-OCT imaging on patients with superficial or mixed-feature basal cell carcinomas who are clinically eligible for Mohs micrographic surgery. Imaging will be performed before surgery using a mineral oil optical interface to capture high-resolution images of tumor margins. Results will be compared with the surgical margin findings from Mohs excision to determine feasibility and potential concordance. The study excludes patients with mineral oil allergy or uncontrolled illnesses that would limit participation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with a basal cell carcinoma that has superficial histology (or mixed features including superficial) and who are planned for Mohs surgery are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with non-superficial BCC subtypes, known allergy to the mineral oil used for imaging, or uncontrolled medical/psychiatric conditions are unlikely to benefit from this imaging approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, LC-OCT could help surgeons better define tumor borders before Mohs, potentially reducing the amount of healthy tissue removed and shortening procedure time.

How similar studies have performed: Related noninvasive techniques like reflectance confocal microscopy and conventional OCT have shown promise for margin detection, but LC-OCT is a newer modality with limited pilot data to date.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years
* Participant must understand the investigational nature of this study and provide written consent prior to receiving any study-related procedure.
* Participant must be clinically eligible for Mohs surgery as determined by their referring dermatologist and the Mohs surgeon.
* The participant must have a BCC with superficial histology or a BCC with multiple histological features that also include superficial histology, which is appropriate for Mohs surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Known or reported allergy to mineral oil, the optical agent used during imaging.
* Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
* . Any condition which in the investigator's opinion deems the subject an unsuitable candidate to undergo imaging procedure.
* Unwilling or unable to follow protocol requirements

Where this trial is running

Buffalo, New York

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Basal Cell Carcinoma

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.