Teledermoscopy – An Emerging Technology for Skin Cancer Detection
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30953/thmt.v8.376Keywords:
dermoscopy, melanoma, skin cancer , skin cancer screening, smartphone, teledermatology, teledermoscopyAbstract
Dermatology is facing a worsening scarcity of providers, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With lengthening waiting periods for skin cancer screening examinations, there is a distinct need for alternatives to in-person evaluation. Delayed diagnosis is associated with poorer outcomes, especially in melanoma. Teledermatology has the potential to prevent the increased morbidity and mortality associated with late-stage diagnosis, especially when utilized with dermoscopy. In the literature, this novel field of “teledermoscopy” has exhibited accuracy and reliability comparable to face-to-face visits and is a promising alternative intervention for those who require triaging or for patients who are unable to access in-person care (rural, underserved populations). Although the early data is promising, formal guidelines for acquisition and interpretation of dermatoscopic images need to be established before wider implementation is possible. With standardization, use at-home or in in primary care offices will with such standardization, may relieve some of the pressure on an overburdened dermatologic care system and help patients who require urgent care to be seen more expediently.
Downloads
References
Rahib L, Wehner MR, Matrisian LM, Nead KT. Estimated projection of US cancer incidence and death to 2040. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4(4). doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.4708
Arnold M, Singh D, Laversanne M, Vignat J, Vaccarella S, Meheus F, et al. Global burden of cutaneous melanoma in 2020 and projections to 2040. JAMA Dermatol 2022 May 1; 158(5): 495. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.0160
Skin Cancer Foundation. Skin cancer facts & statistics. New York: Skin Cancer Foundation; 2022.
Guy GP, Machlin SR, Ekwueme DU, Yabroff KR. Prevalence and costs of skin cancer treatment in the U.S., 2002–2006 and 2007–2011. Am J Prev Med 2015; 48(2). doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2014.08.036
Guy GP, Ekwueme DU, Tangka FK, Richardson LC. Melanoma treatment costs: a systematic review of the literature, 1990–2011. Am J Prev Med 2012; 43(5): 537–45. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2012.07.031
Leachman SA, Cassidy PB, Chen SC, Curiel C, Geller A, Gareau D, et al. Methods of Melanoma Detection. Cancer Treat Res. 2016; 167: 51–105. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-22539-5_3
Grossman DC, Curry SJ, Owens DK, Barry MJ, Caughey AB, Davidson KW, et al. Behavioral counseling to prevent skin cancer: US preventive services task force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2018; 319(11): 1134–1142. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.1623
King SC, Chen S. Analyzing the cost of preventing nonmelanoma skin cancer. J Investig Dermatol 2009; 129. doi: 10.1038/jid.2009.237
Akamine KL, Gustafson CJ, Davis SA, Levender MM, Feldman SR. Trends in sunscreen recommendation among US physicians. JAMA Dermatol. 2014; 150(1): 51–5. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.4741
Coustasse A, Sarkar R, Abodunde B, Metzger BJ, Slater CM. Use of teledermatology to improve dermatological access in rural areas. Telemed J E Health 2019; 25(11): 1022–32. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2018.0130
Zakaria A, Maurer T, Su G, Amerson E. Impact of teledermatology on the accessibility and efficiency of dermatology care in an urban safety-net hospital: a pre-post analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol 2019; 81(6). doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.08.016
Lange M, Plorina EV, Lihacova I, Derjabo A, Spigulis J. Skin cancer screening – better safe than sorry. SHS Web Conf 2020; 85. doi: 10.1051/shsconf/20208502003
Kimball AB, Resneck JS. The US dermatology workforce: a specialty remains in shortage. J Am Acad Dermatol 2008; 59(5): 741–5. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.06.037
Cortez JL, Fadadu RP, Konda S, Grimes B, Wei ML. Disparities in access for melanoma screening by region, specialty, and insurance: a cross-sectional audit study. JAAD Int 2022; 7: 78–85. doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2022.02.008
Suneja T, Smith ED, Chen JG, Zipperstein KJ, Fleischer J, Feldman SR. Waiting times to see a dermatologist are perceived as too long by dermatologists: implications for the dermatology workforce. Arch Dermatol 2001; 137(10): 1303–7. doi: 10.1001/archderm.137.10.1303
Narayanamurthy V, Padmapriya P, Noorasafrin A, Pooja B, Hema K, Firus Khan AY, et al. Skin cancer detection using non-invasive techniques. RSC Adv 2018; 8. doi: 10.1039/C8RA04164D
Lamm R, Lyons W, So W, Willis AI. Advanced-stage melanoma at presentation following the peak of the pandemic: a COVID-19 cancer canary in a Coal Mine. World J Surg 2022; 46(8): 1820–5. doi: 10.1007/s00268-022-06623-9
Greaney L, King I. Dermoscopy – dermatologists only? Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2017; 55(10). doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2017.08.300
Chen YA, Seiverling E, Rill J. Analysis of dermoscopy teaching modalities in United States dermatology residency programs. Dermatol Pract Concept 2017; 7(3): 38–4. doi: 10.5826/dpc.070308
Errichetti E, Stinco G. The practical usefulness of dermoscopy in general dermatology. G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2015; 150(1–2): 1–14.
Hoorens I, Vossaert K, Lanssens S, Dierckxsens L, Argenziano G, Brochez L. Value of dermoscopy in a population-based screening sample by dermatologists. Dermatol Pract Concept 2019; 9(3): 200–6. doi: 10.5826/dpc.0903a05
Dinnes J, Deeks JJ, Chuchu N, Ferrante di Ruffano L, Matin RN, Thomson DR, et al. Dermoscopy, with and without visual inspection, for diagnosing melanoma in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018; 2018. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011902.pub2
Williams NM, Marghoob AA, Seiverling E, Usatine R, Tsang D, Jaimes N. Perspectives on dermoscopy in the primary care setting. J Am Board Fam Med 2020; 33(6): 1022–4. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2020.06.200238
Jones OT, Jurascheck LC, van Melle MA, Hickman S, Burrows NP, Hall PN, et al. Dermoscopy for melanoma detection and triage in primary care: a systematic review. BMJ Open 2019; 9: e027529. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027529
Hadeler E, Gitlow H, Nouri K. Definitions, survey methods, and findings of patient satisfaction studies in teledermatology: a systematic review. Arch Dermatol Res 2021; 313: 205–15. doi: 10.1007/s00403-020-02110-0
Maddukuri S, Patel J, Lipoff JB. Teledermatology addressing disparities in health care access: a review. Curr Dermatol Rep 2021; 10: 40–7. doi: 10.1007/s13671-021-00329-2
Giavina Bianchi M, Santos A, Cordioli E. Dermatologists’ perceptions on the utility and limitations of teledermatology after examining 55,000 lesions. J Telemed Telecare 2021; 27(3): 166–73. doi: 10.1177/1357633X19864829
Singh SR, Meka AP, Nguyen G, Tejasvi T. Teledermoscopy for teledermatology. Curr Dermatol Rep 2016; 5: 71–6. doi: 10.1007/s13671-016-0133-x
Dovigi E, Kwok EYL, English JC. A framework-driven systematic review of the barriers and facilitators to teledermatology implementation. Curr Dermatol Rep 2020; 9: 353–61. doi: 10.1007/s13671-020-00323-0
Raef HS, Hourihan M, Macdonald JM, Lewis J, Seiverling EV. Addressing geographic disparities in dermatology through virtual educational outreach. SKIN J Cutan Med 2022; 6(1): 36–40. doi: 10.25251/skin.6.1.6
Marson J, Litchman G, Rigel D. Differential impact of COVID-19 on urban versus rural dermatologic practice logistics and recovery: a cross-sectional investigation of the first wave. SKIN J Cutan Med 2021; 5(2): 118–24. doi: 10.25251/skin.5.2.6
Osborne N, Muzumdar S, Mostow EN, Feng H. Rural dermatology: statistical measures and epidemiology. In: Dermatology in rural settings. 2021.
Tan E, Yung A, Jameson M, Oakley A, Rademaker M. Successful triage of patients referred to a skin lesion clinic using teledermoscopy (IMAGE IT trial). Br J Dermatol 2010; 162(4): 803–11. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.09673.x
Chuchu N, Dinnes J, Takwoingi Y, Matin RN, Bayliss SE, Davenport C, et al. Teledermatology for diagnosing skin cancer in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018; 2018. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013193
Kong F, Horsham C, Rayner J, Simunovic M, O’Hara M, Peter Soyer H, et al. Consumer preferences for skin cancer screening using mobile teledermoscopy: a qualitative study. Dermatology 2020; 236(2): 97–104. doi: 10.1159/000505620
Horsham C, Snoswell C, Vagenas D, Loescher LJ, Gillespie N, Peter Soyer H, et al. Is teledermoscopy ready to replace face-to-face examinations for the early detection of skin cancer? Consumer views, technology acceptance, and satisfaction with care. Dermatology 2020; 236(2): 90–6. doi: 10.1159/000506154
Bruce AF, Mallow JA, Theeke LA. The use of teledermoscopy in the accurate identification of cancerous skin lesions in the adult population: a systematic review. J Telemed Telecare 2018; 24. doi: 10.1177/1357633X16686770
Gilling S, Mortz CG, Vestergaard T. Patient satisfaction and expectations regarding mobile teledermoscopy in general practice for diagnosis of non-melanoma skin cancer and malignant melanoma. Acta Derm Venereol 2020; 100(8). doi: 10.2340/00015555-3459
Uppal SK, Beer J, Hadeler E, Gitlow H, Nouri K. The clinical utility of teledermoscopy in the era of telemedicine. Dermatol Ther 2021; 34. doi: 10.1111/dth.14766
Lee KJ, Finnane A, Soyer HP. Recent trends in teledermatology and teledermoscopy. Rev Dermatol Pract Concept 2018; 8(3): 214–23. doi: 10.5826/dpc.0803a013
Hue L, Makhloufi S, Sall N’diaye P, Blanchet-Bardon C, Sulimovic L, Pomykala F, et al. Real-time mobile teledermoscopy for skin cancer screening targeting an agricultural population: an experiment on 289 patients in France. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2016 Jan; 30(1): 20–4. doi: 10.1111/jdv.13404
Marwaha SS, Fevrier H, Alexeeff S, Crowley E, Haiman M, Pham N, et al. Comparative effectiveness study of face-to-face and teledermatology workflows for diagnosing skin cancer. J Am Acad Dermatol 2019; 81(5): 1099–106. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.01.067
Börve A, Dahlén Gyllencreutz J, Terstappen K, Johansson Backman E, Alden-Bratt A, Danielsson M, et al. Smartphone teledermoscopy referrals: a novel process for improved triage of skin cancer patients. Acta Derm Venereol 2015; 95(2): 186–90. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1906
Piccolo D, Smolle J, Argenziano G, Wolf IH, Braun R, Cerroni L, et al. Teledermoscopy – results of a multicentre study on 43 pigmented skin lesions. J Telemed Telecare 2000; 6(3). doi: 10.1258/1357633001935202
Vestergaard T, Prasad SC, Schuster A, Laurinaviciene R, Andersen MK, Bygum A. Diagnostic accuracy and interobserver concordance: teledermoscopy of 600 suspicious skin lesions in Southern Denmark. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34(7). doi: 10.1111/jdv.16275
Snoswell CL, Caffery LJ, Whitty JA, Soyer HP, Gordon LG. Cost-effectiveness of skin cancer referral and consultation using teledermoscopy in Australia. JAMA Dermatol 2018; 154(6): 694–700. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.0855
Acharya P, Mathur M. Use of a mobile application to perform video dermatoscopy with a handheld dermatoscope. J Am Acad Dermatol 2021; 84(3): 139–14. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.06.1316
Gupta S, Aggarwal K, Yadav A, Gujrathi A. Low-cost video dermatoscope using an inexpensive clip-on lens. JAAD Int 2020; 1: 9–10. doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2020.02.002
Finnane A, Dallest K, Janda M, Soyer HP. Teledermatology for the diagnosis and management of skin cancer: a systematic review. JAMA Dermatol 2017; 153. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.4361
Janda M, Loescher LJ, Banan P, Horsham C, Soyer HP. Lesion selection by melanoma high-risk consumers during skin self-examination using mobile teledermoscopy. JAMA Dermatol 2014; 150: 656–8. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.7743
Koh U, Horsham C, Soyer HP, Loescher LJ, Gillespie N, Vagenas D, et al. Consumer acceptance and expectations of a mobile health application to photograph skin lesions for early detection of melanoma. Dermatology 2018; 235(1): 4–10. doi: 10.1159/000493728
Camaj Deda L, Goldberg RH, Jamerson TA, Lee I, Tejasvi T. Dermoscopy practice guidelines for use in telemedicine. NPJ Digit Med 2022 Apr 27; 5(1): 55. doi: 10.1038/s41746-022-00587-9
Combalia M, Codella N, Rotemberg V, Carrera C, Dusza S, Gutman D, et al. Validation of artificial intelligence prediction models for skin cancer diagnosis using dermoscopy images: the 2019 International Skin Imaging Collaboration Grand Challenge. Lancet Digit Health 2022 May; 4(5): e330–9. doi: 10.1016/S2589-7500(22)00021-8
Stiff KM, Franklin MJ, Zhou Y, Madabhushi A, Knackstedt TJ. Artificial intelligence and melanoma: a comprehensive review of clinical, dermoscopic, and histologic applications. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2022; 35: 203–11. doi: 10.1111/pcmr.13027
Agbai ON, Buster K, Sanchez M, Hernandez C, Kundu RV, Chiu M, et al. Skin cancer and photoprotection in people of color: a review and recommendations for physicians and the public. J Am Acad Dermatol 2014; 70(4): 748–62. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2013.11.038
Sierro TJ, Blumenthal LY, Hekmatjah J, Chat VS, Kassardjian AA, Read C, et al. Differences in health care resource utilization and costs for keratinocyte carcinoma among racioethnic groups: a population-based study. J Am Acad Dermatol 2022; 86(2): 373–8. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2021.07.005
Brady J, Kashlan R, Ruterbusch J, Farshchian M, Moossavi M. Racial disparities in patients with melanoma: a multivariate survival analysis. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2021; 14: 547–50. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S311694
Hogue L, Harvey VM. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and cutaneous melanoma in skin of color patients. Dermatol Clin 2019; 37: 519–26. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2019.05.009
Pangti R, Mathur J, Chouhan V, Kumar S, Rajput L, Shah S, et al. A machine learning-based, decision support, mobile phone application for diagnosis of common dermatological diseases. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 35(2): 536–45. doi: 10.1111/jdv.16967
Daneshjou R, Vodrahalli K, Novoa RA, Jenkins M, Liang W, Rotemberg V, et al. Disparities in dermatology AI performance on a diverse, curated clinical image set. Sci Adv 2022 Aug 12; 8(32). doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abq6147
Groh M, Harris C, Soenksen L, Lau F, Han R, Kim A, et al. Evaluating deep neural networks trained on clinical images in dermatology with the fitzpatrick 17k dataset. IEEE Computer Society Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Workshops, 2021; 1820–8.
Tschandl P, Rosendahl C, Kittler H. Data descriptor: the HAM10000 dataset, a large collection of multi-source dermatoscopic images of common pigmented skin lesions. Sci Data 2018; 5. doi: 10.1038/sdata.2018.161
Ouellette S, Rao BK. Usefulness of smartphones in dermatology: a US-based review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063553
Walocko FM, Tejasvi T. Teledermatology applications in skin cancer diagnosis. Dermatol Clin 2017; 35: 559–63. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2017.06.002
Zink A, Kolbinger A, Leibl M, Léon Suarez I, Gloning J, Merkel C, et al. Teledermoscopy by mobile phones: reliable help in the diagnosis of skin lesions? Hautarzt 2017; 68(11): 890–5. doi: 10.1007/s00105-017-4042-0
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Kristen Delans, Elianna Goldstein, Dr. Beth Goldstein, Dr. James Grichnik, Dr. Adam Goldstein
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright of their work, with first publication rights granted to Telehealth and Medicine Today (THMT).
THMT is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
