Fotofinder
Encyclopedia
FotoFinder is a worldwide brand for medical imaging systems. The German company FotoFinder Systems GmbH was founded in 1991 and has developed imaging solutions for the early detection of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.
FotoFinder methods for early skin cancer diagnosis:
Each of the presented methods is a pillar in the early detection of skin cancer. In an overall view, the diagnostic accuracy will be improved with the use of special cameras, expert software and scientific-based analysis systems.
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FotoFinder methods for early skin cancer diagnosis:
- Digital dermoscopyDermatoscopyDermatoscopy is the examination of skin lesions with a dermatoscope...
(also called digital epiluminescence microscopy) for monitoring suspicious nevi over time. Through Mole Mapping, melanoma can be detected and removed at a stage where the chances of healing are high http://www.dermoscopy.org/faq.asp. - Mole analysis according to pattern recognitionPattern recognitionIn machine learning, pattern recognition is the assignment of some sort of output value to a given input value , according to some specific algorithm. An example of pattern recognition is classification, which attempts to assign each input value to one of a given set of classes...
algorithms. Therefore the “Moleanalyzer” expert system has been developed in cooperation with the Dermatology Department of the University Hospital of Tuebingen in Germany http://www.hautklinik-tuebingen.de. It gives doctors a second opinionSecond opinion (medicine)A second opinion is a visit to a physician other than the one a patient has previously been seeing in order to get a differing point-of-view. Second opinions may be sought by a patient under the following circumstances:*Physician recommends surgery....
about suspicious moles. - Total Body Mapping for monitoring the entire skin of patients with dysplastic nevus syndrome. All parts of the body are photographed from head to toe for a complete, systematic and standardized documentation.
- Analysis of the entire skin to detect new and changed moles. Therefore the “Bodyscan pro” expert system compares two total body photos with the help of complex algorithms. The first program version was the result of cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering http://www.ibmt.fraunhofer.de.
- With the help of fluorescence diagnostics, non-melanoma skin cancer and precancerous stages such as actinic keratosesActinic keratosisActinic keratosis is a premalignant condition of thick, scaly, or crusty patches of skin. It is more common in fair-skinned people. It is associated with those who are frequently exposed to the sun, as it is usually accompanied by solar damage...
and basal cell carcinomaBasal cell carcinomaBasal-cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It rarely metastasizes or kills. However, because it can cause significant destruction and disfigurement by invading surrounding tissues, it is still considered malignant. Statistically, approximately 3 out of 10 Caucasians may develop a...
can be delineated from healthy skin. Therefore a photosensitizer is applied which selectively concentrates in the tumor cells. Illuminated with ultraviolet light, the tumor is entirely visualized.
Each of the presented methods is a pillar in the early detection of skin cancer. In an overall view, the diagnostic accuracy will be improved with the use of special cameras, expert software and scientific-based analysis systems.
External links