Melanoma Diagnostics Leader, MELA Sciences, Inc., Participates in Skin Cancer Diagnostic Workshop with Leading German Dermato...
December 06 2013 - 7:56AM
Business Wire
MELA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:MELA), designer and developer of
MelaFind®, an FDA and CE Mark approved non-invasive optical device
that assists dermatologists in diagnosing melanoma at its most
curable stage, participated in a two-day hands-on skin cancer
diagnostics workshop in Augsburg, Germany, where leading
dermatologists examined “high-risk” melanoma patients with
MelaFind® and also participated in an imaging devices exhibit.
Close to 100 dermatologists attended the workshop hosted and
lead by Prof. Dr. med. Julia Welzel and Dr. Steffen Gass at the
IHK-Bildungshaus Schwaben in Augsburg, Germany. It was the first
workshop of the newly founded German Dermatological Society
Physical Diagnostics Working Group (Arbeitsgemeinschaft
physikalische Diagnostik der Deutschen Dermatologischen
Gesellschaft).
The goal was to identify non-invasive physical diagnostics as a
specialist field, to share knowledge and experiences from research
and advanced training in physical diagnostics in dermatology, and
to promote international scientific
collaboration. Dermatologists were guided by experts in the
use of innovative, non-invasive diagnostic tools in dermatology on
high-risk patients.
Prof. Dr. med. Julia Welzel, chief physician of the Clinic for
Dermatology and Allergology at Germany’s Augsburg Clinic (Klinikum
Augsburg), specializes in skin cancer prevention and in-depth
research on the most innovative imaging and diagnostics tools for
early detection of skin cancer. She is the leader and designer of
this new and very collaborative approach for dermatologists to
share and produce new data on skin cancer diseases, as well as to
explore new technologies that aid their management of skin
cancer.
Prof. Dr. med. Welzel, who recently acquired a MelaFind® unit
for research, commented, “Modern non-invasive diagnostic
technologies like MelaFind® are quickly becoming the
standard-of-care in dermatology as they enrich and complement
dermatologists’ skin cancer examinations by providing important
images and objective data, especially on high-risk patients.
Early detection is the key to melanoma survival as this is when the
disease is most treatable and patient survival is
great. Imaging diagnostics for skin tumors will become the
standard in early detection of all skin cancers, especially
melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer.”
Dr. med. Marcella Kollmann-Hemmerich, a MelaFind® user for over
one year who practices in Munich, Germany, guided patient and
lesion selection for the MelaFind® exams portion of the workshop,
as well as in evaluating the MelaFind® data produced from these
exams. “The majority of patients are not aware that skin cancer is
highly treatable at an early stage, but smart technologies like
MelaFind® are helping them understand this better,
while also helping dermatologists in monitoring and managing
high-risk patients. A great and safe complement to mole mapping
and other imaging devices for skin tumors, the important data and
images that MelaFind® provides deep below the skin’s surface serve
as a modern assist to our traditional methods (ABCDPRUs and
dermoscopy). The more information we have, the better the patient
outcome.”
Dr. med. Rolf Ostendorf, who has also been working with the
MelaFind® system for over one year at Zent Derma in
Monchengladbach, Germany, presented MelaFind® data during the
workshop. “MelaFind® provides doctors with images and data they can
incorporate into the complete skin cancer examination. When used
correctly, the detection, diagnosis and management of melanoma may
be greatly improved by technologies like MelaFind®.
Human intelligence cannot be replaced, but emerging modern
diagnostic tools that aid doctors are proving to be the future of
dermatology.”
Melanoma – Deadly but Curable if Caught Early
Melanoma is a skin cancer formed in melanocytes, cells
responsible for forming pigments (melanin) responsible for skin
color. Melanoma is the deadliest and fastest growing cancer in the
U.S., according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Doctors in the
United States diagnose about 160,000 new cases of melanoma per
year, and the World Health Organization estimates about 48,000
melanoma related deaths occur worldwide each year. Melanoma is
almost 100% curable if caught early; however, according to a Harris
Interactive Study commissioned by MELA Sciences, Inc., 76% of
Americans have never had a skin check by a dermatologist.
About MELA Sciences, Inc. www.melasciences.com
MELA Sciences, Inc. is a medical device company developing
dermatology diagnostics utilizing state-of-the-art optical imaging.
The Company’s flagship product is MelaFind®, an FDA approved,
non-invasive diagnostic tool to aid dermatologists in melanoma
evaluation and diagnosis. MelaFind® uses a variety of visible to
near-infrared light waves to evaluate skin lesions from the surface
to 2.5 mm beneath the skin. The device provides images and data on
the relative disorganization of a lesion's cell structure that
provides substantial additional perspective to aid in melanoma
diagnosis. MELA Sciences, Inc. is also exploring new potential uses
for its core imaging technology and algorithms. MelaFind® has also
received CE Mark approval and is approved for use in the European
Union.
Safe Harbor
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements include but are not limited to our plans, objectives,
expectations and intentions and may contain words such as “seeks,”
“look forward,” and “there seems” that suggest future events or
trends. These statements are based on our current expectations and
are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and changes in
circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from our
expectations due to financial, economic, business, competitive,
market, regulatory and political factors or conditions affecting
the company and the medical device industry in general, as well as
more specific risks and uncertainties set forth in the company’s
SEC reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K. Given such uncertainties, any
or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be
incorrect or unreliable. MELA Sciences, Inc. assumes no duty to
update its forward-looking statements and urges investors to
carefully review its SEC disclosures available at www.sec.gov and
www.melasciences.com.
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