Method for detecting and diagnosing epithelial cancer

Abstract

A method for detecting epithelial cancer includes generating a real-time video image of the locus of potential cancerous sites on the epithelium. The real-time video image is displayed on a television monitor screen. The real-time video image on the monitor is examined to locate suspected cancerous sites and the results of such examination are recorded.

Having described my invention in such terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice it and having identified the presently preferred embodiments and best mode thereof, I claim:  
     
         1 . A method for detecting epithelial cancer, comprising: 
 (a) generating video signals which represent a first image of the locus of a potential cancerous site on the epithelium;    (b) digitizing said first image to produce a digitized first image; and    (c) comparing said digitized first image with a data base of digitized images of known cancerous epithelial lesions.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said data base also includes digitized images of non-cancerous epithelial lesions.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , which includes the step of applying a biological stain, which selectively stains cancerous and precancerous tissue, to said locus on the epithelium, before video signals representing said first image are generated.