Reflectance Confocal Microscopy to Diagnose MM & LM

A reflectance confocal microscope is a machine which is able to examine the upper layers of the skin painlessly and without the need for taking a biopsy. We would like to examine the images taken by the confocal microscope to see if it can help more accurately identify lesions which are worrying rather than a benign mole. We are performing this study in patients in whom we have recommended excising a mole to exclude a cancer. If the results of the study show that the confocal microscope can help more accurately diagnose Melanomas then this would reduce the number of biopsies that are taken that turn out not to be cancerous (ie unnecessary biopsies).