Introduction

Abstract

Success in the treatment of bacterial infections followed identification of differences between bacterial and human cells. Although cancer cells differ biologically from cells of the host from which they arise, it has proved difficult to exploit these biological differences to improve diagnosis and treatment of solid malignancies. It has been known for some time that there are differences in the electrical potential of normal and malignant cells. With advances in electrode technology and the use of microprocessors it is now possible to record direct current over the skin surface of organs such as the breast. Early results indicate that it is possible to differentiate between benign and malignant breast masses and furthermore, it appears possible to identify breast abnormalities in asymptomatic women. This represents one of the few occasions where exploration of biologically recognised differences between normal and malignant cells has resulted in the development of a technique to differentiate normal and malignant tissues in vivo. As preliminary reports measuring skin potentials have indicated that this technique could have considerable clinical impact on the diagnosis and management of breast cancer, it was felt appropriate that the background scientific information and the currently available clinical data should be summarised and presented in the form of a European School of Oncology Monograph. Individuals involved in the initial development and clinical testing of this technique met in June of 1994 under the auspices of the European School of Oncology and this book is the consequence of that meeting.

J. Michael Dixon acknowledges the support of the Cancer Research Campaign of the United Kingdom