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Direct Skin Microscopy as an Aid in the Early Diagnosis of Precancer and Cancer of the Skin in the Elderly
Author(s) -
Goldman Leon
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1980.tb01094.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dermatology , skin cancer , physical examination , cancer , actinic keratoses , pathology , radiology , basal cell
As part of the routine physical examination of the elderly, the skin, especially on the commonly exposed areas of the face, neck, hands and forearms, should be examined for early signs of precancer and cancer. Various lesions are described. The early signs of precancerous actinic keratoses usually are missed without a special examination which includes the use of magnifiers or the new skin microscope. This microscope is a long focal‐lens stereobinocular instrument that can scan large areas of skin for the early detection of precancer and cancer. As part of the routine examination of elderly patients, it is a valuable aid in the practice of preventive geriatric medicine.