Effect of Dermatoscopy on Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Excision Success Rates of the Head and Neck
Authors List
Jones, G., Dowley, A., Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Hastings, New Zealand Introduction Dermatoscopy improves diagnosis of Non-Melanocytic Skin Cancer (NMSC)1. We hypothesise that dermatoscopy training increases the complete excision rate of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and basal cell carcinomas (BCC). Aims The primary aim was to assess whether formal dermatoscopy training improves complete excision of head and neck NMSC. The secondary aims were to ascertain if dermatoscopy improves excision success for different sized tumours and within different locations of the head and neck. |
Presenter: Gareth Jones
|
Methods
A retrospective analysis of 600 patients with head and neck NMSCs excised from 2010 to 2024 was conducted. Data regarding date, location, size, histological diagnosis and margins were recorded. Data before and after 2021, when dermatoscopy training was introduced, was compared.
Results: Primary excision success was 89.12% without dermatoscopy and 94.34% with dermatoscopy. Secondary excision of previously incompletely excised lesions was 66.00% versus 33.33%. Overall excision success rate of NMSC without dermatoscopy was 86.76% versus 92.66% with it. Regarding BCCs, the complete excision success was 85.63% versus 91.78%, before and after dermatoscopy respectively, whereas the SCC excision success rates were 89.33% and 94.44%. Tumours measuring 1-10mm, 11-20mm and >20mm, 92.72%, 86.17% and 85.11% respectively were completely excised prior to dermatoscopy compared to 97.83%, 89.36% and 100% with dermatoscopy. Notably, complete excision of ear NMSCs were 86.36% prior and 96.67% after.
Conclusions
This study concludes that dermatoscopy training as an aid for NMSC excision improves complete excision success rates for both BCCs and SCCs irrespective of size and site. Dermatoscopy improves success rates for primary excisions, however its role in aiding secondary excisions of previously incompletely excised NMSCs is not observed.
References
Sinz C., Tschandl P (2017) Accuracy of dermatoscopy for the diagnosis of nonpigmented cancers of the skin. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 77(6): 1100-1109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2017.07.022.
A retrospective analysis of 600 patients with head and neck NMSCs excised from 2010 to 2024 was conducted. Data regarding date, location, size, histological diagnosis and margins were recorded. Data before and after 2021, when dermatoscopy training was introduced, was compared.
Results: Primary excision success was 89.12% without dermatoscopy and 94.34% with dermatoscopy. Secondary excision of previously incompletely excised lesions was 66.00% versus 33.33%. Overall excision success rate of NMSC without dermatoscopy was 86.76% versus 92.66% with it. Regarding BCCs, the complete excision success was 85.63% versus 91.78%, before and after dermatoscopy respectively, whereas the SCC excision success rates were 89.33% and 94.44%. Tumours measuring 1-10mm, 11-20mm and >20mm, 92.72%, 86.17% and 85.11% respectively were completely excised prior to dermatoscopy compared to 97.83%, 89.36% and 100% with dermatoscopy. Notably, complete excision of ear NMSCs were 86.36% prior and 96.67% after.
Conclusions
This study concludes that dermatoscopy training as an aid for NMSC excision improves complete excision success rates for both BCCs and SCCs irrespective of size and site. Dermatoscopy improves success rates for primary excisions, however its role in aiding secondary excisions of previously incompletely excised NMSCs is not observed.
References
Sinz C., Tschandl P (2017) Accuracy of dermatoscopy for the diagnosis of nonpigmented cancers of the skin. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 77(6): 1100-1109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2017.07.022.
