New York, New York - October 28, 2011
Over 13 million Americans have recurring history of non-melanoma skin cancer. They often have scarring from biopsies and surgery. But new technology is helping to change that.
A recent biopsy found skin cancer in Patrice Mollica's lower lip. she thought she would need surgery to remove it. "So I knew what the procedure was gonna be and because of the location I knew
there would be scarring, so that was my concern obviously, and also to remove it," Mollica said.
She got a second opinion. Doctor Erin Gilbert used a new, FDA approved device, "an optical coherence tomography scanner," to get an instant view of Mollica's cells and make a diagnosis.
"It's a new technology in the sense that much like ultrasound, painlessly we can look through the skin and see lesions and assess whether or not they're cancerous," said Dr.Gilbert with Gramercy Park Dermatology Associates.
The scans are not used alone, they're used together with biposies. But patients have less anxiety because the results are immediate.
"There's been no device in the past that we can actually hold up to the skin and within five to ten seconds actually have a diagnosis of a non melanoma skin cancer," Dr.Gilbert said.
Turns out Mollica's tumor wasn't that deep. Doctor Gilbert recommended a topical cream instead of surgery. Six weeks later her lip is cancer free.
"It's amazing because you don't have any scarring," Mollica said.
Technology saved her from surgery and a lot of worry.
Manuel Gallegus - CBS News
