This study proposes a novel diagnostic system for the early detection of cutaneous melanoma based on morphological and biochemical changes during tumor formation. The methods used in this system are acoustic microscopy and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The former identifies the anatomical parameters of the developing tumor, whilst the latter identifies its biochemical features, both at the micron scale. To implement this diagnostic method, an animal model that mimics human melanoma was developed. The results of this investigation show that using high-frequency (>20MHz) acoustic microscopy in conjunction with spectroscopic images provides useful information about distinct features of melanoma tumors’ 3D structures. The structures and cytoarchitecture of the tumors were assessed using conventional histology, and their malignant nature was confirmed using histological and immumohistochemical analysis. The proposed approach may provide an invaluable tool in diagnostic dermatology, as it is noninvasive and produces highly detailed and accurate data about the early appearance and development of melanoma tumors.
本研究提出了一种基于肿瘤形成过程中的形态学和生化变化,用于早期检测皮肤黑色素瘤的新型诊断系统。该系统采用声学显微镜和红外光谱技术作为检测方法。前者用于识别发育中肿瘤的解剖学参数,后者则用于识别其微米尺度的生化特征。为实施该诊断方法,研究开发了模拟人类黑色素瘤的动物模型。研究结果表明,结合高频(>20MHz)声学显微镜与光谱成像技术,能够提供关于黑色素瘤三维结构独特特征的有效信息。通过常规组织学方法评估了肿瘤的结构和细胞构筑,并采用组织学及免疫组织化学分析确认了其恶性特征。该诊断方法具有无创性,且能提供关于黑色素瘤早期表现及发展过程的高度精细和准确数据,有望成为皮肤科诊断领域的重要工具。