The early detection of skin cancer has great potential to make an impact on the morbidity and mortality of this disease. Moreover, the savings in treatment costs are considerable when skin cancer is caught early. Recently, several new approaches have been developed to detect skin cancer, among them dermoscopy (epiluminescent microscopy and dermatoscopy), high-resolution MRI, and ultrasound aid in determining the extent and depth of skin cancers in vivo.¹ In addition, research is underway in the field of imaging technology that will allow in-vivo detection and analysis of skin cancers which may yield a higher degree of diagnostic certainty than the current methodologies.² To that end, we have previously explored imaging skin with promising results using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and photoacoustic imaging.^{3 – 9} Certainly, additional research on skin cancer screening and detection is needed to compare the benefits of these modalities and to recognize the most effective methods. The mechanical properties of the skin are important tissue parameters useful for understanding skin pathophysiology, which can aid in diagnosis and treatment.¹⁰

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and remains a diagnostic challenge in the dermatology clinic. Several non-invasive imaging techniques have been developed to identify melanoma. The signal source in each of these modalities is based on the alteration of physical characteristics of the tissue from healthy/benign to melanoma. However, as these characteristics are not always sufficiently specific, the current imaging techniques are not adequate for use in the clinical setting. A more robust way of melanoma diagnosis is to “stain” or selectively target the suspect tissue with a melanoma biomarker attached to a contrast enhancer of one imaging modality. Here, we categorize and review known melanoma diagnostic biomarkers with the goal of guiding skin imaging experts to design an appropriate diagnostic tool for differentiating between melanoma and benign lesions with a high specificity and sensitivity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a demand for safe and highly effective decontamination techniques for both personal protective equipment (PPE) and hospital and operating rooms. The gradual lifting of lockdown restrictions warrants the expansion of these measures into the outpatient arena. Ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation has well-known germicidal properties and is among the most frequently reported decontamination techniques used today. However, there is evidence that wavelengths beyond the traditional 254 nm UVC – namely far UVC (222 nm), ultraviolet B, ultraviolet A, visible light, and infrared radiation – have germicidal properties as well. This review will cover current literature regarding the germicidal effects of wavelengths ranging from UVC through the infrared waveband with an emphasis on their activity against viruses, and their potential applicability in the healthcare setting for general decontamination during an infectious outbreak.

Imaging technologies are constantly being developed to improve not only melanoma diagnosis, but also staging, treatment planning, and disease progression. We start with a description of how melanoma is characterized using histology, and then continue by discussing nearly two dozen different technologies, including systems currently used in medical practice and those in development. For each technology, we describe its method of operation, how it is or would be projected to be most commonly used in diagnosing and managing melanoma, and for systems in current use, we identify at least one current manufacturer. We also provide a table including the biomarkers identified by and main limitations associated with each technology and conclude by offering suggestions on specific characteristics that might best enhance a technology’s potential for widespread clinical adoption.