That’s why we are one of only 20 clinics in the United States and the only one in western Pennsylvania that has Canfield’s VECTRA® WB360 whole body imaging system. This groundbreaking technology allows our team to monitor the skin for new and concerning skin growths far beyond the abilities of a traditional skin exam or traditional body photography, which have been the gold standard for decades.
This technology integrates almost instantaneous whole body digital photography and digital interpretation of concerning skin growths and moles to assist your dermatologist in providing the best available care. At various AHN locations, there are handheld devices for doctors to assess particular skin lesions specifically. This allows quick assessment or results to see if the patient needs to be sent to the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center of Excellence.
When caught early, most skin cancers are highly treatable. Even in melanoma cases, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, there is a 97% survival rate when detected early. With VECTRA® WB360, AHN dermatologists have the ability to track small skin changes over time with regular screenings. Thus resulting in early diagnosis, more treatment options, and greater survival outcomes.
Having regular skin cancer screenings is vital to your health. The AHN Cancer Institute and VECTRA are two powerful tools at your disposal when you choose AHN for your skin cancer prevention and treatment. Learn more about this and other cutting-edge cancer treatment innovations near you.
The VECTRA® WB360 is a specialized imaging system used in dermatology to detect and monitor skin cancer. It captures high-resolution images of the skin surface, providing detailed information about skin lesions and moles and their characteristics. The system uses advanced technology to analyze these images, identifying potential signs of melanoma and other skin cancers. This information helps dermatologists make earlier and more accurate diagnoses and monitor the progress of treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
AHN is the only health care system in western Pennsylvania to have this technology. And handheld dermatoscope devices are available throughout the AHN network at several of our primary care and oncology clinics to provide a vital extension of our skin cancer detection and management abilities.
Given it’s one of only 15 VECTRA® WB360 machines in use in the U.S., you probably have questions about what to expect at your screening. Rest assured, we are here to help you feel at ease and ready for your appointment. During the scan, you will be in a private room where you will need to remove your clothing, except underwear. This ensures the machine can get a full-body scan. The entire appointment usually takes between 20 – 30 minutes, but the device only takes a few minutes to obtain the images.
Images are encrypted and secure in our system where only Skin Cancer Center staff have access to review. Whole-body images are not stored in your chart. Focused lesion images that are being monitored will be stored, so your care team can monitor them during your treatment.
To get the most accurate images, here are some things you can do to prep for your screening:
At-home monitoring of your skin for any changes or suspicious marks is important, but the only way to know you have skin cancer is to visit your primary care physician or dermatologist for screening and diagnosis. Early detection and treatment are crucial is treating and improving survival rates for aggressive skin cancers like melanoma. The VECTRA® WB360 Whole Body Imaging System can help your dermatologist identify and track precancerous or cancerous lesions and moles — leading to better outcomes.
It’s crucial to consult a health care professional for any concerns about your health, including skin cancer. We want to see you and answer any skin questions.
Here’s why it's important to see a doctor:
Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist or your primary care physician if you notice any changes in your skin, such as:
The VECTRA WB-360 can help track changes on your skin over time and give a full body readout.
Call the AHN Cancer Help Line anytime at (412) 578-HOPE (412) 578-4673 to schedule a cancer-related appointment or to just talk with our nurses about diagnoses, treatments, and side effects.
Screenings let us find cancer early when it’s most treatable. Schedule a skin cancer screening near you during a weekday or during a Saturday screening time.
If you have cancer, you have a team of oncology specialists ready to review your medical records and offer you a second opinion. After completing their review, they’ll talk with you about your goals to determine a course of treatment that’s right for you. To get started, fill out our Second Opinion Request form. A nurse navigator will contact you within the next 24 to 48 hours to discuss next steps and schedule.
VECTRA® is a registered trademark of Canfield Scientific, Inc.
