Optical spectroscopy studies of diseased skin: preliminary results

A PC plug-in spectrometer has been used clinically to collect autofluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectral data from various skin lesions including skin cancer. To date, 82 patients with a total of 141 diseased skin sites have been measured. Our database on the spectroscopic properties of diseased skin has been enlarged. Analysis of these preliminary data confirmed our previous observations that certain types of skin lesions possess consistent characteristic autofluorescence and diffuse reflectance properties. These spectral characteristics can help the differential diagnosis in dermatology practice.