Dermatologists in the United States discovered the world's smallest skin carcinoma, measuring only 0.65 mm in diameter. When a woman went to see a skincare professional, a team of dermatologists from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) uncovered the surprising discovery.
According to Dr. Alexander Witkowski, an assistant professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University, the discovery means that melanoma can be treated before it spreads. Dr. Witkowski was the one who identified the red spot as cancer.
For years, the woman had been concerned about a red area beneath her eye and went to the dermatologist, where the microscopic cancer was identified using high-tech non-invasive techniques.
The physician saw another lesion on Christy Staats' right cheek while inspecting her skin. According to reports, the region under the woman's eye was 0.65 millimetres or 0.025 inches, making it nearly imperceptible to the naked eye.
Melanoma, the worst type of skin cancer, was discovered.
On May 1, the team of doctors was granted the Guinness World Record for 'Smallest Detected Skin Cancer.' A Guinness World Records judge visited the OSHU and presented each team member with a certificate for the record.
Christy Staats reported the event after noticing a red spot right beneath her eye and contacting a physician.
Despite the dermatologist's assurance that the "red spot" was innocuous, the skin care specialist was surprised to discover another problem on her identical cheek.
The dermatologist discovered that the tiny red patch on Staats' skin, which was practically imperceptible to the naked eye, was melanoma. It should be emphasised that melanoma is one of the most lethal forms of skin cancer.
The micro-melanoma was discovered in-situ, only on the top layer of the skin. According to Witkowski, the detection of the cancer was critical because it was caught before it could metastasize to other areas of the body.
The woman who was diagnosed with melanoma expressed gratitude for the fact that her cancer was detected early, preventing its development or spread. She credited her fortunate circumstance to being in the "right place at the right time...with access to the appropriate technology."
The discovery has been peer-reviewed and published in the National Library of Medicine of the United States government.
