Publications by authors named "Guitera P"

Background: Factors associated with nonadherence to guideline-recommended complete excision of suspicious cutaneous lesions are unclear.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze patient, melanoma, and clinician factors associated with initial diagnostic biopsy type and determine whether unwarranted variation from guidelines occurred.

Methods: This population-based, cohort study involved the analysis of data from questionnaires completed by clinicians who managed patients with newly diagnosed, histopathologically confirmed primary invasive cutaneous melanomas reported to the New South Wales Cancer Registry between 2006 and 2007.

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Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of the Melanoma Care Programme when implemented into routine clinical practice coupled with fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) screening and a stepped-care model of intervention delivery.

Methods: Using a Type-I hybrid effectiveness-implementation design, individuals with stage 0-II melanoma and a Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory FCR severity score of ≥ 13 were offered the Melanoma Care Programme. The programme included a psychoeducational booklet and 3 to 5 psychotherapeutic telehealth sessions with a clinical psychologist, timed around routine dermatological appointments.

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Background: While the high accuracy of reported AI tools for melanoma detection is promising, the lack of holistic consideration of the patient is often criticized. Along with medical history, a dermatologist would also consider intra-patient nevi patterns, such that nevi that are different from others on a given patient are treated with suspicion.

Objective: To evaluate whether patient-contextual lesion-images improves diagnostic accuracy for melanoma in a dermoscopic image-based AI competition and a human reader study.

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Lentigo maligna (LM) is a growing problem worldwide and the main type of melanoma in situ in some Caucasian populations. It presents as a spectrum from atypical intraepidermal melanocytic proliferation (AIMP) to invasive lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). Accurate diagnosis and staging are crucial for determining appropriate management strategies.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cutaneous confocal microscopy (CCCM) is a technique that allows for detailed imaging of the skin at a cellular level, and this study tested a remote version (Remote-CCM) to enhance access to skin cancer diagnoses.
  • In the study, 201 lesions were assessed, with Remote-CCM showing a sensitivity of 89% for detecting skin malignancies and a specificity of 64%, effectively reducing unnecessary biopsies in 90% of benign cases.
  • The findings suggest that while Remote-CCM is accurate and can lower biopsy rates, it may not be suitable for potential cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), indicating a need for follow-up on uncertain melanoc
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Population-wide skin cancer screening is not currently recommended in most countries. Instead, most clinical guidelines incorporate risk-based recommendations for skin checks, despite limited evidence around implementation and adherence to recommendations in practice. We aimed to determine adherence to personal risk-tailored melanoma skin check schedules and explore reasons influencing adherence.

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AI image classification algorithms have shown promising results when applied to skin cancer detection. Most public skin cancer image datasets are comprised of dermoscopic photos and are limited by selection bias, lack of standardization, and lend themselves to development of algorithms that can only be used by skilled clinicians. The SLICE-3D ("Skin Lesion Image Crops Extracted from 3D TBP") dataset described here addresses those concerns and contains images of over 400,000 distinct skin lesions from seven dermatologic centers from around the world.

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Background: Only a small per cent of new melanocytic lesions developing in adults are expected to represent melanomas. Total body photography (TBP) has been widely incorporated in clinical practice, especially for follow-up of high-risk individuals with multiple naevi. However, dynamic changes detected with TBP need to be interpreted with caution to avoid unnecessary excisions.

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Objective: We investigated the association between sun protection behaviours and demographic and melanoma risk characteristics of patients attending Australian melanoma specialist clinics. This may assist in targeting and tailoring melanoma prevention patient education for people at high-risk and specific population subgroups.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of questionnaire data collected from participants attending the dermatology clinics at two major melanoma centres in Sydney, Australia between February 2021 and September 2023.

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Background: The use of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in melanoma treatment has divided opinion and evidence-based guidelines are lacking.

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to analyse clinical outcomes for patients with invasive melanomas treated with Mohs rather than wide local excision (WLE).

Methods: Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane databases (to 30 August 2023) were searched for studies using Mohs to treat invasive melanoma.

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In recent years, there has been a surge in the development of AI-based Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), particularly in visual specialties such as dermatology. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates AI-based SaMD to ensure its safe use. Proper labelling of these devices is crucial to ensure that healthcare professionals and the general public understand how to use them and interpret results accurately.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the appropriateness of suspected skin cancer referrals made by nonmedical practitioners (NMPs) and compare this with referrals made by local general practitioners (GPs). Data were collected prospectively from patients referred from primary care to a UK hospital dermatology department. The profession of the referrer was ascertained from review of referral letters and direct questioning.

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Background/objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) holds remarkable potential to improve care delivery in dermatology. End users (health professionals and general public) of AI-based Software as Medical Devices (SaMD) require relevant labelling information to ensure that these devices can be used appropriately. Currently, there are no clear minimum labelling requirements for dermatology AI-based SaMDs.

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Background: Full-body skin examination (FSE) is a vital practice in the diagnosis of cutaneous malignancy. Precisely how FSE should be conducted with respect to concealed site inclusion remains poorly elucidated.

Objective: To establish the approach of Australian dermatologists to concealed site examination (CSE).

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Introduction: Although the dermoscopic features of facial lentiginous melanomas (LM), including lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma, have been extensively studied, the literature about those located on the scalp is scarce. This study aims to describe the dermoscopic features of scalp LM and assess the diagnostic accuracy of dermoscopy to discriminate them from equivocal benign pigmented macules.

Methods: Consecutive cases of scalp LM and histopathology-proven benign but clinically equivocal pigmented macules (actinic keratoses, solar lentigos, seborrhoeic keratoses, and lichen planus-like keratoses) from four referral centres were included.

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Background: No international recommendations exist for a minimum imaging requirement per lesion using reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). This may be beneficial given the increasing use of remote RCM interpretation internationally.

Objective: To develop international expert recommendations for image acquisition using tissue-coupled RCM for diagnosis of cutaneous tumors.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to evaluate how well mobile phone-powered AI algorithms perform compared to clinicians in diagnosing and managing pigmented skin lesions in a clinical setting.
  • Researchers conducted a multicentre trial in Australia and Austria, involving both specialist clinicians and novice junior doctors to assess their accuracy against two AI diagnostic tools.
  • The main outcomes measured included the accuracy of diagnosis and management decisions, with the AI's performance compared to that of experts and novices based on histopathological examination and monitoring methods.
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Background: As the use of smartphones continues to surge globally, mobile applications (apps) have become a powerful tool for healthcare engagement. Prominent among these are dermatology apps powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), which provide immediate diagnostic guidance and educational resources for skin diseases, including skin cancer.

Objective: This article, authored by the EADV AI Task Force, seeks to offer insights and recommendations for the present and future deployment of AI-assisted smartphone applications (apps) and web-based services for skin diseases with emphasis on skin cancer detection.

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Background: Lentigo maligna/lentigo maligna melanoma (LM/LMM) is usually diagnosed in older patients, when lesions are larger. However, it is important to detect it at an earlier stage to minimize the area for surgical procedure.

Objectives: To determine and define clinical, dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) features of LM/LMM in patients < 50 years old.

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Background: The growing number of melanoma patients who need long-term surveillance increasingly exceeds the capacity of the dermatology workforce, particularly outside of metropolitan areas. Digital technologies that enable patients to perform skin self-examination and send dermoscopic images of lesions of concern to a dermatologist (mobile teledermoscopy) are a potential solution. If these technologies and the remote delivery of melanoma surveillance are to be incorporated into routine clinical practice, they need to be accepted by clinicians providing melanoma care, such as dermatologists and general practitioners (GPs).

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Introduction: Melanoma of the lentigo maligna (LM) type is challenging. There is lack of consensus on the optimal diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

Objectives: To obtain general consensus on the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for LM.

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