AI in dermatology: a comprehensive review into skin cancer detection

Abstract

Background Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly transforming dermatology, particularly in early skin cancer detection and diagnosis. This technological advancement addresses a crucial public health issue by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility. AI integration in medical imaging and diagnostic procedures offers promising solutions to the limitations of traditional methods, which often rely on subjective clinical evaluations and histopathological analyses. This study systematically reviews current AI applications in skin cancer classification, providing a comprehensive overview of their advantages, challenges, methodologies, and functionalities. Methodology In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the classification of skin cancer. We evaluated publications from three prominent journal databases: Scopus, IEEE, and MDPI. We conducted a thorough selection process using the PRISMA guidelines, collecting 1,156 scientific articles. Our methodology included evaluating the titles and abstracts and thoroughly examining the full text to determine their relevance and quality. Consequently, we included a total of 95 publications in the final study. We analyzed and categorized the articles based on four key dimensions: advantages, difficulties, methodologies, and functionalities. Results AI-based models exhibit remarkable performance in skin cancer detection by leveraging advanced deep learning algorithms, image processing techniques, and feature extraction methods. The advantages of AI integration include significantly improved diagnostic accuracy, faster turnaround times, and increased accessibility to dermatological expertise, particularly benefiting underserved areas. However, several challenges remain, such as concerns over data privacy, complexities in integrating AI systems into existing workflows, and the need for large, high-quality datasets. AI-based methods for skin cancer detection, including CNNs, SVMs, and ensemble learning techniques, aim to improve lesion classification accuracy and increase early detection. AI systems enhance healthcare by enabling remote consultations, continuous patient monitoring, and supporting clinical decision-making, leading to more efficient care and better patient outcomes. Conclusions This comprehensive review highlights the transformative potential of AI in dermatology, particularly in skin cancer detection and diagnosis. While AI technologies have significantly improved diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility, several challenges remain. Future research should focus on ensuring data privacy, developing robust AI systems that can generalize across diverse populations, and creating large, high-quality datasets. Integrating AI tools into clinical workflows is critical to maximizing their utility and effectiveness. Continuous innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration will be essential for fully realizing the benefits of AI in skin cancer detection and diagnosis.