Diagnostic Inaccuracy of Smartphone Applications for Melanoma Detection—Reply

Wolf, Joel; Ferris, Laura K.

doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.4337

Cited by 10 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…For those with moderate risk of melanoma, behavioral approaches, such as using an SSM smartphone application to prompt timely consultation, remain an option, promoted particularly among policy makers, but our trial does not offer even preliminary randomized clinical trial evidence to support this. While such applications have not been shown to have value in diagnosing melanoma, 46 they may have more promise as monitoring tools to identify skin changes. Further evidence on how to ensure people with increased risk of melanoma engage with and use these applications and whether this leads to earlier detection is needed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of a Skin Self-monitoring Smartphone Application on Time to Physician Consultation Among Patients With Possible Melanoma

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IMPORTANCE Melanoma is among the most lethal skin cancers; it has become the fifth most common cancer in the United Kingdom, and incidence rates are rising. Population approaches to reducing incidence have focused on mass media campaigns to promote earlier presentation and potentially improve melanoma outcomes; however, interventions using smartphone applications targeting those with the greatest risk could promote earlier presentation to health care professionals for individuals with new or changing skin lesions. OBJECTIVE To study the effect of a commercially available skin self-monitoring (SSM) smartphone application among individuals with increased risk of melanoma on their decision to seek help for changing skin lesions. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This phase 2 randomized clinical trial was conducted in 12 family practices in Eastern England between 2016 and 2017. A total of 238 participants, aged 18 to 75 years and with an increased risk of melanoma, were identified using a real-time melanoma risk assessment tool in family practice waiting rooms. Analysis was intention to treat. Participants were observed for 12 months, and data analysis was conducted from January to August 2018. INTERVENTION The intervention and control groups received a consultation with standard written advice on sun protection and skin cancer detection. The intervention group had an SSM application loaded on their smartphone and received instructions for use and monthly self-monitoring reminders. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The coprimary outcomes were skin consultation rates with family practice physicians and patient intervals, measured as the time between noticing a skin change and consulting with a family practice clinician. Follow-up questionnaires were sent at 6 and 12 months, and consultation rates were extracted from family practice records. Secondary outcomes included skin self-examination benefits and barriers, self-efficacy for consulting without delay, perceived melanoma risk, sun protection habits, and potential harms. RESULTS A total of 238 patients were randomized (median [interquartile range] age, 55 [43-65] years, 131 [55.0%] women, 227 [95.4%] white British; 119 [50.0%] randomized to the intervention group). Overall, 51 participants (21.4%) had consultations regarding skin changes during the 12 months of follow-up, and 157 participants (66.0%) responded to at least 1 follow-up questionnaire. There were no significant differences in skin consultation rates (adjusted risk ratio, 0.96; 95% CI,

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of a Skin Self-monitoring Smartphone Application on Time to Physician Consultation Among Patients With Possible Melanoma

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…smartphone applications targeting skin cancer and melanoma, in particular, have often fallen short after undergoing validation studies, and several have been pulled from the market [22][23][24] . An important issue with apps reliant on automated algorithms has been misdiagnosis of melanoma, and the potential for delay in following up on lesions incorrectly classified as "low risk" [22][23][24] . Nevertheless, encouraging technological advancements have been made.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Teledermatology (TD) has shown promise in this field; it allows digital images with relevant clinical information to be transmitted securely to a consulting dermatologist [27] . One TD app was shown to have 98% sensitivity and 94% specificity with skin lesion interpretation from photos taken by, and submitted by, patients [24] . A recent study evaluated the ability of a mobile smartphone app using novel fractal image analysis to guide diagnosis of pigmented lesions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The app had a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 88%, which was comparable to that observed with clinical diagnostic (sensitivity 88%, specificity 97%) [28] . however, like many TD apps, it did not require TBP [24] . since melanoma can be located in anatomic regions that are difficult to see or reach, patients are more prone to not photograph such lesions [14] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A novel total body digital photography smartphone application designed to detect and monitor skin lesions: a pilot study

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

<p class="Body">Although some smartphone applications are designed for total body photography (TBP), few offer the specificity that enables self- as well as dermatologist-, detection of new lesions, or change in lesion color or in size as little as 1mm, on an ongoing basis. The aim of this study is to assess the sensitivity of a novel TBP application in the detection of changes to color and size of simulated skin lesions. Twenty-five subjects underwent one study visit. After baseline photography, new artificial markings were made or naturally occurring pigmented lesions located in any anatomical region were enhanced/enlarged, and a second matching set of photographs was then taken. From all 25 subjects, a total of 262 skin markings were evaluable. Of these, 241 (92%) were detected by the app, which resulted in an overall sensitivity of 92%. The high sensitivity establishes the app as capable of providing reliable self-TBP that allows detection and monitoring of new skin lesions or change in both size and color. This method greatly enhances the ability to accomplish ongoing self-monitoring and yet provides quality informing images to the dermatologist to assist in decision-making with the patient. </p>

show abstract

“…Infrared spectroscopy [34], Raman spectroscopy [35,36], thermographic imaging [37], tissue elastography [38], fiber diffraction [39], electric impedence spectroscopy [40,41], and noninvasive genomic detection [42] may all play a role in assisting with the diagnosis of melanoma in the future. Mobile smartphone apps also offer an opportunity for patients to monitor their own skin for suspicious lesions, but current apps have, thus far, been shown to be insufficiently accurate [43,44]. …”

Section: Other Technologies On the Horizonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Point of care cutaneous imaging technology in melanoma screening and mole mapping

2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Melanoma is a malignancy of melanocytes or pigment-producing cells located predominantly in the skin. It is less common than other skin cancers but causes the greatest number of skin cancer-related deaths worldwide. The incidence of melanoma continues to increase and early detection is the most promising means of decreasing morbidity and mortality. Currently, physicians perform routine skin cancer screenings for melanoma without the benefit of imaging devices more advanced than handheld magnifiers or dermatoscopes. However, it is possible that the diagnosis of melanoma may be improved with technology that provides diagnostic discrimination beyond what is possible on routine inspection. This article reviews current and emerging technologies to aid in the diagnosis of melanoma. Ultimately, these advances may enhance the early diagnosis of melanoma.

show abstract

Diagnostic Inaccuracy of Smartphone Applications for Melanoma Detection—Reply

Cited by 10 publications

References 0 publications

Effect of a Skin Self-monitoring Smartphone Application on Time to Physician Consultation Among Patients With Possible Melanoma

Effect of a Skin Self-monitoring Smartphone Application on Time to Physician Consultation Among Patients With Possible Melanoma

A novel total body digital photography smartphone application designed to detect and monitor skin lesions: a pilot study

Point of care cutaneous imaging technology in melanoma screening and mole mapping

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About