The research team of UM researcher, skin cancer expert and dermatologist Dr Klara Mosterd showed that in patients diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma with the scan, the outcome was no worse than in patients diagnosed with a biopsy. This finding was published by the leading scientific journal Lancet Oncology.
Comparison
Researcher Fieke Adan followed 553 patients with a suspicious spot on the skin who were referred to Maastricht UMC+, Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven or Zuyderland Medical Center in Heerlen. A biopsy was taken from one half. That is the removal of a piece of tissue with a kind of knife, after which it is examined under a microscope. In the other half, the dermatologist immediately scanned the spot, using the so-called optical coherence tomography (OCT). One year after treatment, it was evaluated whether there was a difference in the clinical outcome: the number of tumors that had come back.
Just as good and cheaper
After the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma, patients received regular treatment and the suspicious spot was removed. In the OCT group, policy was only determined on the basis of the OCT scan when the diagnosis was very certain. This was in 65.6% of the cases, whereby the treatment is therefore discussed with the patient immediately in the first consultation. If the basal cell carcinoma was suitable for treatment with an ointment, it was prescribed immediately. If surgery was required, it was immediately scheduled. In the regular group (biopsy), the results were known after one to two weeks, so that treatment could only be discussed or started during a follow-up consultation. In both groups, the proportion that had no recurrence of the skin cancer after one year was not significantly different. In addition, about 10% of the costs could be saved in the diagnosis and treatment process via OCT. In short: diagnostics via a scan is faster, costs less and is no less effective from a medical point of view.
Patient-friendly working
This study marks an important step for people with a suspicious spot, emphasizes Dr. Klara Mosterd: “A suspicious spot creates a lot of uncertainty for a patient who is referred to the hospital by the GP. As a dermatologist you want to be as fast and patient-friendly as possible. A biopsy is painful and does not immediately give a result, unlike the OCT. So I am pleased that our research shows that the OCT could replace a biopsy in many cases.”
By: National Care Guide
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