Epidemiologic and organizational aspects of remote screening for cutaneous melanoma in the Novgorod region
- Authors: Cherenkov V.G.1,2, Komarova O.A.2, Chistyakova T.V.2, Shonia A.V.2, Tokmachev M.S.1
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Affiliations:
- Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University
- Regional Clinical Oncological Dispensary
- Issue: Vol 30, No 2 (2025)
- Pages: 90-100
- Section: Original Study Articles
- Submitted: 26.12.2024
- Accepted: 11.08.2025
- Published: 15.08.2025
- URL: https://rjonco.com/1028-9984/article/view/643457
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/onco643457
- EDN: https://elibrary.ru/BIKBZT
- ID: 643457
Cite item
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Analysis of risk factors and the increasing incidence of cutaneous melanoma in the Novgorod Region, along with the low quality of preventive examinations in older patients, indicates the need for new approaches to detecting melanocytic neoplasms.
AIM: The work aimed to study the epidemiologic features of cutaneous melanoma incidence in the Novgorod Region in order to substantiate optimal approaches to organizing population screening for melanocytic neoplasms using teledermatoscopy.
METHODS: In a pilot project, photomicroscopy of pigmented nevi prone to change (assessed by the ABCDE algorithm) was performed with a portable USB microscope and a standard laptop at the primary screening stage, followed by remote consultation. Three categories of cases were distinguished: 1) low risk of nevus transformation; 2) melanoma-prone nevi (requiring preventive measures); 3) melanocytic dysplasia and melanomas in the horizontal growth phase requiring treatment.
RESULTS: A total of 252 photomicrographs were analyzed after a survey of 1902 patients who reported suspicious moles. Photomicrographic diagnosis using a second reading approach identified superficial melanomas in 6 patients and melanoma-prone nevi in 109 patients, 58 of whom (53.2% ± 2.18%) with a high risk of melanoma underwent surgical treatment. Histologic examination in this group confirmed melanocytic atypia in 8 patients. The remaining patients were followed for 2 years or longer. The risk of melanoma was assessed using the software-hardware complex we developed in an automated mode. The software-hardware complex program generates a library of photographs of suspicious melanocytic skin neoplasms for longitudinal follow-up during dispensary observation. The proposed screening model complements individual mobile teledermatoscopy and increases the effectiveness of national dispensary programs.
CONCLUSION: The findings indicate the effectiveness of teledermatoscopy for detecting melanoma-prone neoplasms using portable, low-cost USB microscopes with a laptop at the primary care level.
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About the authors
Vyacheslav G. Cherenkov
Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University; Regional Clinical Oncological Dispensary
Author for correspondence.
Email: v.g.cherenkov@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0372-7443
SPIN-code: 8792-1449
MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor
Russian Federation, 57 Alexandra Kоrsunov ave, Veliky Novgorod, Russia, 173024; Veliky NovgorodOksana A. Komarova
Regional Clinical Oncological Dispensary
Email: md.komarov@gmail.com
Russian Federation, Veliky Novgorod
Tamara V. Chistyakova
Regional Clinical Oncological Dispensary
Email: orgnovonko@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0004-9657-0362
SPIN-code: 8868-7167
Russian Federation, Veliky Novgorod
Alexey V. Shonia
Regional Clinical Oncological Dispensary
Email: iwaki95@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0005-9910-7311
SPIN-code: 8766-6985
Russian Federation, Veliky Novgorod
Mikhail S. Tokmachev
Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University
Email: mikhail.tokmachov@novsu.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0009-9417-3773
SPIN-code: 6416-7369
Cand. Sci. (Physics and Mathematics), Assistant Professor
Russian Federation, Veliky NovgorodReferences
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