Evaluation of Pre-operative Dermoscopy in Early Diagnosis of Non-melanocytic Skin Cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dermatoscopy is an integral part of every clinical examination of skin tumors. Dermoscopy has markedly enhances the early diagnosis of non-melanocytic skin cancer (NMSC) compared to naked-eye inspection. Besides its value in the noninvasive diagnosis tool of skin cancer, dermoscopy has also gained increased interest in the response assessment and management of NMSC including basal cell carcinoma, Bowen’s disease, squamous cell carcinoma and merkel cell carcinoma. NMSCs are usually considered a curable disease, however they currently present a growing global healthcare problem due to the increasing incidence, hence this is the reason for my work. AIM: The main aim of the study is to prove the value of dermoscopy in the precision of pre-operative diagnosis of NMSC confirmed by postoperative histopathology (PH) findings. Additional goals are to declare dermoscopy subtypes of NMSC in according to the age, sex, localization, UV radiation, anatomical region, and phototype of skin. METHODS: We used two types of dermoscopy, non-polarized, and polarized dermoscopy. Non-polarized dermoscopy uses magnifying lenses and LED illumination light. This method requires contact with pre-liquid (gel, oil, and alcohol) skin to reduce reflection. Non-polarized dermoscopy allows visualization of structures located in the epidermis and dermoepidermal junction, but not below it. Polarized dermoscopy in addition to the magnifying and light lenses, it uses two polarizing filters to enable cross-polarization. This type of method does not require liquid medium on the skin surface and does not require skin contact. Polarized dermoscopy allows visualization of structures located deeper and below the dermoepidermal junction and the superficial dermis. RESULTS: This paper provides an update on NMSC with special emphasis of dermoscopy in the precision of preoperative diagnosis of NMSC confirmed by postoperative histopathology findings. CONCLUSION: Our first experiences with pre-operative dermoscopy in 11 patients indicate its value in the diagnosis of NMCS. Our further studies in multiple patients should determine its accuracy in pre-operative diagnosis confirmed by post-operative PH findings.