Analysis of Skin Lesions for Melanoma Presence by Volatile Spectroscopy Techniques

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this research study is to determine if a very sensitive chemistry lab analyzer can be used to smell a skin cancer (like melanoma) similar to some dogs.

Detailed Description
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Types of skin cancer, like melanoma, are likely to spread and are becoming increasingly common. At this time, healthcare providers look at patient's skin and remove a sample of suspicious areas of the skin (biopsy) to test for cancer. This research study will inspect cotton and cloth swabs of normal skin and suspicious areas of the skin that are going to be biopsied just before the biopsy. The swabs will be looked at with a very sensitive chemistry lab analyzer to see if the lab analyzer can confirm conventional lab test findings.

Official Title
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Analysis of Skin Lesions for Melanoma Presence by Volatile Spectroscopy Techniques

Conditions
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Melanoma

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Dermatology patients
* Other: Dermatology patients
* Other: Dermatology patients
* Other: Dermatology patients


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18 years of age or older Seen at the dermatology clinic & determined to need a skin biopsy of a suspicious lesion Exclusion Criteria: < 18 years of age

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Dermatology patients<br>Patients seen in the dermatology clinic with suspicious skin lesion to be biopsied will have 4 skin swabs, 2 of the skin lesion and 2 of an area of unafflicted skin. | Other: Dermatology patients<br>* Cleanse an area of unafflicted (control) skin with a cotton 2 x 2 dampened with saline.<br>Other: Dermatology patients<br>* Cleanse a suspicious lesion (potential melanoma) with a saline cotton swab.<br>Other: Dermatology patients<br>* This intervention follows the standard of care for patients with a suspicious skin lesion (potential melanoma) the physician plans to biopsy. The alcohol swab used to prep the site will be stored for testing rather than discarded.<br>Other: Dermatology patients<br>* Cleanse an area of unafflicted (control) skin with an alcohol swab.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Compare the off line spectral analyses of saline and alcohol skin swabs of normal control, melanoma negative and melanoma positive skin biopsies. | Determine if the melanomas have unique identifying spectra that might be applied to noninvasive melanoma skin cancer screening in lieu of taking a biopsy | 1 day | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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skin cancer, suspicious lesion, skin biopsy, noninvasive, screening