Thermography in the Study of Superficial and Semisuperficial Neoplastic Processes

Abstract

A thermographic investigation using an AGA-Thermovision equipment was carried out to evaluate the temperature changes that can be recorded in various superficial and semisuperficial malignant neoplastic diseases. Diseases of the breast and thyroid were excluded deliberately since they, especially the former, have been studied extensively by other workers. 65 cases of tumor were studied, including primary lesions, recurrences and metastases; some of the cases had not been treated whereas others had undergone either surgery or irradiation. The thermographic evidence collected included direct and indirect signs and must in any case be assessed in conjunction with the clinical evidence and history. The data are of interest both for the purposes of evaluating the biological characteristics of the neoplasm, primary or secondary, and documenting the changes that follow radiotherapy and hence their radiobiological behavior.