{"id":244078,"date":"2019-06-12T22:27:23","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T22:27:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/i\/laser-beam-shone-on-a-patients-arm-can-detect-whether-skin-cancer-has-spread\/"},"modified":"2019-06-12T22:27:23","modified_gmt":"2019-06-12T22:27:23","slug":"laser-beam-shone-on-a-patients-arm-can-detect-whether-skin-cancer-has-spread","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/i\/laser-beam-shone-on-a-patients-arm-can-detect-whether-skin-cancer-has-spread\/","title":{"rendered":"Laser-beam shone on a patient&#8217;s arm can detect whether skin cancer has spread"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Laser-beam shone on a patient&#8217;s arm can detect whether skin cancer has spread in just 10 seconds by looking for fragments of tumours in veins<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"mol-bullets-with-font\">\n<li class=\"class\"><strong>It does not require a blood test, but is simply shone on someone&#8217;s arm<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"class\"><strong>Scientists have already used the same laser to destroy some tumour cells<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"class\"><strong>But efforts to detect whether the skin cancer has spread do not always work\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"class\"><strong>More than 15,000 people a year in Britain are diagnosed with a melanoma\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"author-section byline-plain\">By Victoria Allen Science Correspondent For The Daily Mail<\/a> <\/p>\n<p class=\"byline-section\"><span class=\"article-timestamp article-timestamp-published\"> <span class=\"article-timestamp-label\">Published:<\/span> 14:00 EDT, 12 June 2019 <\/span> | <span class=\"article-timestamp article-timestamp-updated\"> <span class=\"article-timestamp-label\">Updated:<\/span> 15:20 EDT, 12 June 2019 <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> <!-- ad: https:\/\/mads.dailymail.co.uk\/v4\/us\/health\/none\/article\/other\/para_top.html --> <\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">A laser-beam test could bring hope to people with skin cancer by detecting within 10 seconds whether the cancer has spread.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">It does not require a blood test, but is simply shone on someone&#8217;s arm to detect fragments of tumours in their veins.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Scientists have already successfully used the same laser to destroy tumour cells, by heating them up.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">More than 15,000 people a year in Britain are diagnosed with a melanoma &#8211; the most deadly form of skin cancer, which kills almost 3,000 each year.<\/p>\n<p>   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-67188f437e75089e\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/06\/12\/16\/14701304-7133685-image-a-2_1560354125150.jpg\" height=\"423\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Tried on 28 patients with skin cancer, it successfully detected that the melanoma had spread in 27 of them, taking 10 seconds to an hour to produce a result\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/>  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-67188f437e75089e\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2019\/06\/12\/16\/14701304-7133685-image-a-2_1560354125150.jpg\" height=\"423\" width=\"634\" alt=\"Tried on 28 patients with skin cancer, it successfully detected that the melanoma had spread in 27 of them, taking 10 seconds to an hour to produce a result\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/>  <\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Tried on 28 patients with skin cancer, it successfully detected that the melanoma had spread in 27 of them, taking 10 seconds to an hour to produce a result<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">But efforts to detect whether the skin cancer has spread do not always work, because a conventional blood test produces so little blood to examine for tumour fragments which have broken away and are heading to the organs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The laser solves this problem by aiming at several litres of blood as they flow through the veins, with the light creating a signal as it hits the tumour cells.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Tried on 28 patients with skin cancer, it successfully detected that the melanoma had spread in 27 of them, taking 10 seconds to an hour to produce a result.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Dr Vladimir Zharov, who led the study from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, said: &#8216;Our test, which picks up a signal from spreading tumour cells, is 1,000 times more sensitive than existing techniques, which usually rely on much smaller amounts of blood from blood tests.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"rotator-panels link-bogr1 linkro-ccox\">\n<li>  <span>Don&#8217;t treat electric scooters as &#8216;toys&#8217;, doctors warn as&#8230;<\/span> <\/a>  <span>Acupuncture causes a 79-year-old woman&#8217;s lung to COLLAPSE&#8230;<\/span> <\/a>  <span>Boy, five, dies of Ebola in Uganda while his grandmother and&#8230;<\/span> <\/a>  <span>Patients at risk of throat cancer &#8216;could be spotted 40 YEARS&#8230;<\/span> <\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;We have tested it on 26 patients in the later stages of melanoma and two at an early stage. We need to test it on a larger number of people and it could soon be used for diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">&#8216;The laser could be used in the future to kill strongly pigmented tumour cells alone or in combination with immunotherapy.&#8217; The laser technology works so well because skin cancer tumour cells are filled with melanin &#8211; the pigment which colours freckles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Their dark colour pulls in large amounts of laser light, and that heats the cells up, creating a &#8216;popping&#8217; sound as they expand.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Researchers, whose study on the test is published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, track that sound on a screen just like an ECG which shows someone&#8217;s heartbeat.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Normally flat, the line on the screen spikes into a peak every time the laser hits a tumour cell.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">To figure out how many tumour cells there are in the blood, scientists simply have to count the peaks on the screen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The painless laser also helpfully forms tiny bubbles as water heats up around the melanin in the tumour cells.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">That could lead to a future laser treatment for melanoma, as when these bubbles burst they can cause fatal damage to the tumour fragments before they can reach the organs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The authors say their test can pick up one dangerous tumour cell for every litre of blood, using a laser and ultrasound which scans several veins in the arm simultaneously.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">When their test, called the Cytophone, was tried on 19 healthy people, it did not produce &#8216;false positives&#8217; and wrongly diagnose anyone with skin cancer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">It was able to also pick up blood clots, which are an ever-present danger in cancer patients because of chemicals released by tumours which make clots more likely to form.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The test results were verified using blood tests with gold nanoparticles to identify the circulating tumour cells.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Dr Zharov said: &#8216;The ultimate goal is to be able to use this to diagnose someone in the early stages of skin cancer also.&#8217;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"mol-factbox-title\">WHAT DO CANCEROUS MOLES LOOK LIKE? CHECKING IS AS EASY AS ABCDE<\/h3>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The more moles someone has, the higher their risk of developing melanoma.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The following ABCDE guidance can help people identify moles that might need looking over by a doctor.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span class=\"mol-style-bold\"><span class=\"mol-style-bold\"><span class=\"mol-style-large\"><span class=\"health-ccox\">A<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"mol-style-bold\"><span class=\"mol-style-large\">symmetry<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Look out for moles with an irregular shape.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-9efeba719965cb0e\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2018\/01\/09\/12\/47EFBD9C00000578-5249939-image-a-8_1515500465794.jpg\" height=\"318\" width=\"586\" alt=\"Check for asymmetrical moles that have an irregular shape\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/>  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-9efeba719965cb0e\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2018\/01\/09\/12\/47EFBD9C00000578-5249939-image-a-8_1515500465794.jpg\" height=\"318\" width=\"586\" alt=\"Check for asymmetrical moles that have an irregular shape\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/>  <\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Check for asymmetrical moles that have an irregular shape<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span class=\"mol-style-bold mol-style-large\"><span class=\"health-ccox\">B<\/span>orders<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Check for jagged edges.<\/p>\n<p>   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-6abbbbaa82745764\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2018\/01\/09\/12\/47EFBD9400000578-5249939-image-a-9_1515500474640.jpg\" height=\"319\" width=\"586\" alt=\"People should look out for moles with irregular borders and jagged edges\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/>  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-6abbbbaa82745764\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2018\/01\/09\/12\/47EFBD9400000578-5249939-image-a-9_1515500474640.jpg\" height=\"319\" width=\"586\" alt=\"People should look out for moles with irregular borders and jagged edges\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/>  <\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">People should look out for moles with irregular borders and jagged edges<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span class=\"mol-style-large mol-style-bold\"><span class=\"health-ccox\">C<\/span>olour change<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">If a mole changes in colour or is a different colour in one part than in another, seek medical advice.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-f80750e273d2adf2\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2018\/01\/09\/12\/47EFBDB100000578-5249939-image-a-10_1515500497966.jpg\" height=\"287\" width=\"586\" alt=\"Moles that change colour or have a different colours within them should be looked over\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/>  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-f80750e273d2adf2\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2018\/01\/09\/12\/47EFBDB100000578-5249939-image-a-10_1515500497966.jpg\" height=\"287\" width=\"586\" alt=\"Moles that change colour or have a different colours within them should be looked over\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/>  <\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Moles that change colour or have a different colours within them should be looked over<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span class=\"mol-style-large mol-style-bold\"><span class=\"health-ccox\">D<\/span>iameter<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Any increase in size should be checked, but be particularly cautious of moles that grow more than around 6mm across.<\/p>\n<p>   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-123b1439010c347f\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2018\/01\/09\/12\/47EFBDB600000578-5249939-image-a-11_1515500503285.jpg\" height=\"326\" width=\"586\" alt=\"Any change in size should be checked, but more than 6mm across is very concerning\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/>  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-123b1439010c347f\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2018\/01\/09\/12\/47EFBDB600000578-5249939-image-a-11_1515500503285.jpg\" height=\"326\" width=\"586\" alt=\"Any change in size should be checked, but more than 6mm across is very concerning\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/>  <\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Any change in size should be checked, but more than 6mm across is very concerning<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\"><span class=\"mol-style-large mol-style-bold\"><span class=\"health-ccox\">E<\/span>levation<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">The E section is generally classed as &#8216;elevation&#8217;; warning you to watch out for moles that are raised from the surface, particularly if this is irregular.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Yet, Dr David Fisher, director of the melanoma program at Massachusetts General Hospital, explains many dermatologists have different classifications for this.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">His preferred word is &#8216;evolving&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mol-para-with-font\">Dr Fisher previously told MailOnline: &#8216;Is it changing? Do you notice anything suspicious or concerning? That is key.&#8217;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-78df86549161ecee\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2018\/01\/09\/12\/47EFBDAA00000578-5249939-image-a-12_1515500508285.jpg\" height=\"323\" width=\"586\" alt=\"Look out for moles that are raised or those that 'evolve' over time\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/>  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"i-78df86549161ecee\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2018\/01\/09\/12\/47EFBDAA00000578-5249939-image-a-12_1515500508285.jpg\" height=\"323\" width=\"586\" alt=\"Look out for moles that are raised or those that 'evolve' over time\" class=\"blkBorder img-share\" \/>  <\/p>\n<p class=\"imageCaption\">Look out for moles that are raised or those that &#8216;<span class=\"mol-style-bold\">e<\/span>volve&#8217; over time<\/p>\n<p>            <!-- ad: https:\/\/mads.dailymail.co.uk\/v4\/us\/health\/none\/article\/other\/inread_player.html --><\/p>\n<p>        <\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Comments <span class=\"readerCommentsCount\">0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>\n\t    Share what you think\n          <\/p>\n<p class=\"rc-title debate\">No comments have so far been submitted. 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Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Laser-beam shone on a patient&#8217;s arm can detect whether skin cancer has spread in just 10 seconds by looking for fragments of tumours in veins It does not require a blood test, but is simply shone on someone&#8217;s arm Scientists have already used the same laser to destroy some tumour cells But efforts to detect <a class=\"read-more-link\" href=\"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/i\/laser-beam-shone-on-a-patients-arm-can-detect-whether-skin-cancer-has-spread\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-244078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244078","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=244078"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244078\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=244078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=244078"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/i\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=244078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}