Label-free multispectral lifetime fluorescence to distinguish skin lesions

Skin lesions are the most common human cancer diseases, usually, is it diagnosed by clinical visual inspections followed by biopsy. Early detection of these diseases is critical, depending on an accurate and trained dermatologist and can increase the survival rate. Aiming for screening and early diagnose skin lesions many techniques are presented, however, optical techniques are highlighted since they are fast and noninvasive. In this context, fluorescence steady-state and lifetime imaging show potential by being able to image metabolic changes using endogenous contrast. Here it is demonstrated an in vivo label-free multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging system to distinguish between two types of clinically similar lesions. A pulsed Nd:YAG laser emitting at 355 nm is used to excite the endogenous fluorophores and three channels of acquisition bands are used to imaging the skin. Preliminary results showed differences in the fluorescence lifetime between Bowen and Actinic Keratosis as well as the lesion and the skin around, demonstrating a potential tool to identify the lesion and its edges.