The Value of Total Body Photography for the Early Detection of Melanoma: A Systematic Review

Annkathrin Hornung, Theresa Steeb, Anja Wessely, Titus J. Brinker, Thomas Breakell, Michael Erdmann, Carola Berking and Markus V. Heppt
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Annkathrin Hornung: Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Theresa Steeb: Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Anja Wessely: Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Titus J. Brinker: Digital Biomarkers for Oncology Group, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Thomas Breakell: Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Michael Erdmann: Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Carola Berking: Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Markus V. Heppt: Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: Early detection of melanoma is critical to reduce the mortality and morbidity rates of this tumor. Total body photography (TBP) may aid in the early detection of melanoma. To summarize the current evidence on TBP for the early detection of melanoma, we performed a systematic literature search in Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for eligible records up to 6th August 2020. Outcomes of interest included melanoma incidence, incisional and excisional biopsy rates, as well as the Breslow’s index of detected tumors. Results from individual studies were described qualitatively. The risks of bias and applicability of the included studies was assessed using the QUADAS-2 checklist. In total, 14 studies published between 1997 and 2020 with an overall sample size of n = 12,082 (range 100–4692) were included in the qualitative analysis. Individuals undergoing TBP showed a trend towards a lower Breslow’s thickness and a higher proportion of in situ melanomas compared to those without TBP. The number needed to excise one melanoma varied from 3:1 to 14.3:1 and was better for lesions that arose de novo than for tracked ones. The included studies were judged to be of unclear methodological concern with specific deficiencies in the domains “flow and timing” and “reference standard”. The use of TBP can improve the early detection of melanoma in high-risk populations. Future studies are warranted to reduce the heterogeneity of phenotypic risk factor definition and the technical implementation of TBP. Artificial intelligence-assisted analysis of images derived from 3-D TBP systems and digital dermoscopy may further improve the early detection of melanoma.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; early detection; melanoma; photography; prevention; skin cancer; total body photographic cutaneous surveillance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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