Imaging Methods for the Diagnosis of Non-melanoma Skin Cancer and Its Precursors

Imaging Methods Like Dermoscopy, Optical Coherence Tomography, in Vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy and 3D Total Body Photography for the Diagnosis of Non-melanoma Skin Cancer and Its Precursors

Prospective, unicentric study that examines if imaging devices like total body photography, dermoscopy, optical coherence tomography and in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy as an addition to clinical examination lead to a benefit for patients in the diagnosis of non-melanoma skin cancer and their precursors

250 patients with lesions that are suspicious for non-melanoma skin cancer that had not yet had a biopsy, are randomized in 2 groups. The intervention group is examined with total body photography, dermoscopy, optical coherence tomography and in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy; the control group is examined with dermoscopy only. The aim of the study is to investigate whether these methods improve the early detection of non-melanoma skin cancer and their precursors. Examined are not only the differences in management of the lesions (excision, biopsy, local treatment or no treatment) and the diagnostic accuracy of the devices.

dermoscopy, 3D total body photography, optical coherence tomography, in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy, total body photography, non-invasive imaging, confocal microscopy

participant and investigator, who does the clinical examination and planning of surgery are not blinded, but surgeons and pathologists are blinded to the groups

After clinical examination, each lesion that is suspicious for non-melanoma skin cancer and/or its precursor, is examined with dermoscopy, optical coherence tomography, in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy and each patient gets 3D total body photography. Afterwards, decision for management of each lesion is made (excision, biopsy, local treatment or no treatment). Surgeons are blinded to the groups but get the planning of surgery of the investigator. Pathologists are blinded to the groups.

After clinical examination, each lesion that is suspicious for non-melanoma skin cancer and/or its precursor, is examined with dermoscopy as is the standard of care. Afterwards, decision for management of each lesion is made (excision, biopsy, local treatment or no treatment). Surgeons are blinded to the groups but get the planning of surgery of the investigator. Pathologists are blinded to the groups.

each lesion is in addition to examination with dermoscopy examined with optical coherence tomography, in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy, each patient is photographed with 3D total body photography

Is management of non-melanoma skin cancer optimized after using non-invasive imaging devices like optical coherence tomography, in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy in comparison to examination with dermoscopy alone (number of primary excisions, number of biopsies, number of secondary inpatient stays due to positive biopsies, number of local treatments and lesions in which no treatment is necessary)

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy in optical coherence tomography and in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy in comparison to dermoscopy alone for non-melanoma skin cancer

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy and optical coherence tomography and invivo reflectance confocal microscopy (is diagnostic accuracy of optical coherence tomography better or confocal microscopy better than in dermoscopy alone?

Diagnostic accuracy of the combination of optical coherence tomography and in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy in non-melanoma skin cancer

Does the combination of the results of optical coherence tomography and in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy in each lesion lead to an even better diagnostic accuracy than each device alone?

Examination of diagnostic accuracy of 3D total body photography regarding non-melanoma skin cancer in comparison to examination with dermoscopy

Inclusion Criteria: Patients with 1 or more lesions suspicious for non-melanoma skin cancer that had not yet had a biopsy or diagnostic excision of the lesions Exclusion Criteria: Patients with non-melanoma skin cancer that has already been examined with a punch biopsy or diagnostic excision Patients younger than 18 years Patients that are incapable of giving consent

Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Medizinische Fakultät Technische Universität Dresden

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the principal investigator. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.