A study looking at stem cells in samples of normal skin and cancer stem cells in samples of non melanoma skin cancer

Cancer type:

Non melanoma skin cancer

Skin cancer

Status:

Open

Phase:

Other

This is a study to learn more about stem cells in normal skin and cancer stem cells in non melanoma skin cancer.

More about this trial

Researchers know that a small number of cells called stem cells are responsible for maintaining normal healthy skin. Researchers involved in this study have found that skin cancers also contain stem cells. And they think that these cancer stem cells are responsible for cancer growth.

The researchers want to learn more about stem cells in healthy skin and cancer stem cells in non melanoma skin cancer. They will do this by looking at samples of skin usually thrown away after surgery. They will aslo look at some blood samples.

Taking part in this study will not affect the treatment you have.

Who can enter

You may be asked to take part in this study if you are having surgery to your skin.

Trial design

If you agree to take part, the researchers will study samples of your skin that would usually be thrown away after surgery.

50 people will also be asked to have a blood test. This is a small sample of up to 10 ml (about 1/2 a tablespoon). The researchers will look at the blood and skin samples together to learn more about differences in the stem cells.