Can spectroscopic analysis help me avoid a surgical procedure?

Biopsy and excision procedures for suspected skin cancers frequently cause scarring. Other adverse effects include bleeding, bruising, pain and infection. In cases where your doctor believes your lesion is most likely not skin cancer, spectroscopy can provide further evidence that the lesion is harmless. This often means that no biopsy or surgical excision procedure is required.

Biopsy and excision procedures for suspected skin cancers frequently cause scarring. Other adverse effects include bleeding, bruising, pain and infection. In cases where your doctor believes your lesion is most likely not skin cancer, spectroscopy can provide further evidence that the lesion is harmless. This often means that no biopsy or surgical excision procedure is required.

This can be useful in cases where:

• There is a high risk of complications from surgery (e.g. poor circulation, diabetes).
• It’s important to avoid scarring (e.g. cosmetic mole removal procedures using laser, radiosurgery or other destructive methods).
• Aftercare for a surgical procedure is not practical (eg. when the patient wants to participate in sports that might stretch or immerse the wound).
• The patient is not covered by Medicare and may not be able to afford fees charged by pathology providers.