RCM to Diagnose BCC - Reflectance Confocal Microscopy to Diagnose Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the commonest non melanoma skin cancer in the UK and its incidence is rising. The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Foundation Trust (NNUHFT) see and excise approximately 3,000 new cases of BCC each year. Many of these patients have a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis before being listed for surgical excision. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) involves using a machine which can examine the upper layers of the skin non invasively. In clinically suspicious lesions, the Investigators will use RCM prior to biopsy with the aim of demonstrating that RCM can accurately diagnose BCC. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility and utility of using RCM for the diagnosis of BCC in the NHS setting, thereby shortening the patient pathway and effectively using limited public resources. If the Investigators' study shows that RCM can accurately diagnose BCC in these patients then this would prevent the need for biopsy as a routine in these patients.