Visualizing the vascular history of nonmelanoma skin tumors: an in vivo human study.
BACKGROUND
The formation of cutaneous carcinoma has been shown to rely on neovascularization, with angiogenesis being implicated in the invasive process of skin malignancy and metastasis. To date, studies of angiogenesis have generally been limited to in vitro, animal (often murine), or postexcision histopathologic models.


METHODS
To demonstrate the angiogenic progression of human tumors in vivo, this study has used the Spectrophotometric Intracutaneous Analyser (SIAscope; Biocompatibles, Surrey, United Kingdom) to produce parametric images of 250 nonmelanoma skin cancers and 13 actinic keratoses. This provides a history, in images, of the vascular basis of skin cancer formation.


CONCLUSIONS
While displaying that the in vitro findings of angiogenesis are indeed occurring in vivo in humans, this technique also suggests a practical means to allow accurate application and monitoring of antiangiogenic therapy. In addition, it raises the possibility of differentiating superficial from nonsuperficial nonmelanoma skin cancers in an office-based setting, thus allowing accurate usage of surgical or nonsurgical treatment methods.
Whiston Hospital, Liverpool; and †Royal Preston Hospital, Preston, United Kingdom. contact@hamidtehrani.com
Hamid
H
Tehrani
Paul
P
McArthur
Milind
M
Dalal
D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000473:pathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013053:Spectrophotometry