Diagnosing Skin Cancer Non-Invasively

 
Every exam begins with a close look using a dermatoscope, allowing for close visualization of the skin.

Every exam begins with a close look using a dermatoscope, allowing for close visualization of the skin.

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) can visualize cells as clearly as a traditional light microscope, but without any cutting. This allows for a same-day, noninvasive diagnosis—and no need for a band-aid.

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) can visualize cells as clearly as a traditional light microscope, but without any cutting. This allows for a same-day, noninvasive diagnosis—and no need for a band-aid.

What to Expect

Every skin exam at Markowitz Medical is conducted with the aid of a dermatoscope, a handheld microscope Dr. Markowitz uses to study the skin at greater magnification, enabling her to identify any suspicious spots.

Cutting Edge Technology Spares the Scalpel

When Dr. Markowitz sees an area that merits closer review, rather than using a scalpel to remove the spot and have it biopsied at a lab, she upgrades to a reflectance confocal laser-scanning microscope (RCM). The confocal allows her to highlight selected skin cells and visually diagnose a wide variety of skin cancers, including melanoma and basal and squamous cell carcinomas. This high-tech imaging also allows Dr. Markowitz to identify tumors at their earliest stage, an important step in minimizing the invasiveness of treatment. RCM can be used to diagnose basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma and is covered by some insurance plans. Please call our office prior to your visit to ensure coverage.

A Tailored Treatment

Finally, if a tumor has been identified as cancer, Dr. Markowitz uses a noninvasive laser known as optical coherence tomography to determine the size and depth of the tumor. This information helps her determine the most effective, customized course of treatment for the patient.

No Downtime, No Scarring

As a patient, it’s important to note that a skin exam with Dr. Markowtitz is painless, efficient, and will enable you to get a diagnosis in real time. No waiting for results to return from a lab—or for your skin to heal from a biopsy.