› Forums › General Melanoma Community › New Device to detect Melanoma?
- This topic has 10 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 9 months ago by
lhaley.
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- November 21, 2010 at 11:01 pm
I just saw this on CNN.com. Has anyone else heard any more about it? It doesn't read like much more than a press release, I'll try to search more on the internet.
I just saw this on CNN.com. Has anyone else heard any more about it? It doesn't read like much more than a press release, I'll try to search more on the internet.
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- November 22, 2010 at 2:17 am
I have been following this for well over a year now, and it is my understanding, the FDA vote was 8 to 7, to approve use of melafind with 1 vote of abstention.
Per the company website: A company spokesman said that the panel had voted 8-7 with one abstention since it had been made very clear that the overall gains of the Company's hand-held MelaFind device happened to outweigh its risks.
It is my opinion only, but I feel that a device such as this (or an improved type in the future) will help to eliminate unnecessary biopsies. In studies, Melafind correctly predicted 112 of 114 eligible melanomas for a "sensitivity" rate of 98%. which is higher than dermatologists, and much higher than a family doctor.
I feel that a device like this (if it is this one or another one approved down the road as the technology improves) will do two things: it will help put a stop to these dermatologists that will do biopsy after biopsy just to make a payment on their Lambourgini, and will help to put patients at ease that do the same-those that go biopsy crazy when first diagnosed.
Michael
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- November 22, 2010 at 3:32 am
Michael,
Have there been any comments on how expensive this equipment would be? Just wondering if it would only be found at major cancer centers or if it was something that would be affordable for all dermatologists. Wouldn't that be great if family Doctors could have one! Think of how many people could have melanoma's diagnosed at an early stage instead of when it's already progressed……
Linda
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- November 22, 2010 at 3:32 am
Michael,
Have there been any comments on how expensive this equipment would be? Just wondering if it would only be found at major cancer centers or if it was something that would be affordable for all dermatologists. Wouldn't that be great if family Doctors could have one! Think of how many people could have melanoma's diagnosed at an early stage instead of when it's already progressed……
Linda
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- November 22, 2010 at 2:17 am
I have been following this for well over a year now, and it is my understanding, the FDA vote was 8 to 7, to approve use of melafind with 1 vote of abstention.
Per the company website: A company spokesman said that the panel had voted 8-7 with one abstention since it had been made very clear that the overall gains of the Company's hand-held MelaFind device happened to outweigh its risks.
It is my opinion only, but I feel that a device such as this (or an improved type in the future) will help to eliminate unnecessary biopsies. In studies, Melafind correctly predicted 112 of 114 eligible melanomas for a "sensitivity" rate of 98%. which is higher than dermatologists, and much higher than a family doctor.
I feel that a device like this (if it is this one or another one approved down the road as the technology improves) will do two things: it will help put a stop to these dermatologists that will do biopsy after biopsy just to make a payment on their Lambourgini, and will help to put patients at ease that do the same-those that go biopsy crazy when first diagnosed.
Michael
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- November 22, 2010 at 9:06 am
Thanks for the update. I was following this a while back, but with my distraction, I forgot about it. The cost was one of my concerns about availability at the first reading, if the testing worked out.
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- November 22, 2010 at 9:06 am
Thanks for the update. I was following this a while back, but with my distraction, I forgot about it. The cost was one of my concerns about availability at the first reading, if the testing worked out.
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- November 22, 2010 at 7:55 pm
I am not sure exactly how this works. It sounds like it emits lightwave thru the lesion and then the software compares characteristics of the lesion against a database of melanoma traits.
I wonder if the intent is to use it on all lesions, or just those suspected of being melanoma?
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- November 22, 2010 at 11:27 pm
I went to my derm this afternoon so I asked him about this. He said he had been to a conference last year and the discussion became heated. He said it's not as simple as it sounds. It would be one mole at a time and then the computer does it's thing. He said that the person performing the test – in his opinion – needs to be a dermopatholgist to then analyze the data that is received. Not sure if his comment was just being defensive or not. He also said that it the equipment would be very expensive and his thoughts would only be for large institutions.
I gathered that the testing was run by the company that makes the equipment and software.
It made for an interesting discussion and I'm sure my appointment then took much longer than he had originally planned! lol But, he said my skin looked good with no changes!!
Linda
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- November 22, 2010 at 11:27 pm
I went to my derm this afternoon so I asked him about this. He said he had been to a conference last year and the discussion became heated. He said it's not as simple as it sounds. It would be one mole at a time and then the computer does it's thing. He said that the person performing the test – in his opinion – needs to be a dermopatholgist to then analyze the data that is received. Not sure if his comment was just being defensive or not. He also said that it the equipment would be very expensive and his thoughts would only be for large institutions.
I gathered that the testing was run by the company that makes the equipment and software.
It made for an interesting discussion and I'm sure my appointment then took much longer than he had originally planned! lol But, he said my skin looked good with no changes!!
Linda
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- November 22, 2010 at 7:55 pm
I am not sure exactly how this works. It sounds like it emits lightwave thru the lesion and then the software compares characteristics of the lesion against a database of melanoma traits.
I wonder if the intent is to use it on all lesions, or just those suspected of being melanoma?
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