Laboratory scientists trial 3D melanoma test

Laboratory scientists at the University of the West of England have developed a new, three-dimensional scanning technique designed to alert clinicians to the presence of melanomas more reliably.

Their system is a stereo device consisting of six separate lights, which allow the surface of the patient's skin to be rendered in three dimensions.

This compares with the current technique usually employed by laboratory scientists and clinicians, where two-dimensional images are studied for asymmetry, border, colour and diameter (ABCD) characteristics indicative of the presence of melanoma.

However, diagnoses based on the ABCD technique are not convincingly accurate, according to the researchers.

Using the scanning stereoscopic light system, sensitivity of 91.7 per cent and specificity of 76.4 per cent - better than with the two-dimensional method - were achieved in tests.

The university has also recently called for more support to be given to young people whose physical appearance is likely to be changed - due to scarring or hair loss, for example - by their treatment for cancer.