Optical biopsy approach to basal cell carcinoma and melanoma based on all-optically integrated photoacoustic and optical coherence tomography.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and melanoma (MM), with the highest morbidity and mortality, respectively, are considered as two skin cancers of concern in dermatology. Histological studies have demonstrated that vascular patterns and collagenous stroma serve as key parameters for BCC and MM classification. In this Letter, we sought to identify BCC and MM based on the dual parameters of vascular patterns and scattering structures provided by all-optically integrated photoacoustic and optical coherence tomography (AOPA/OCT). The imaging capability of the AOPA/OCT was verified by the mimic phantoms. Furthermore, in vivo characterization of vasculatures and tissue structures from BCC and MM mice were successfully achieved with high resolution. Results prove the feasibility of AOPA/OCT as a novel method to dedicate to the in vivo biopsy of skin cancers which shows new insights into the study of skin diseases in early stages.