AI shows high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in diagnosing skin cancer, suggests study

Limited access to dermatologic care may pose an obstacle to the early detection and intervention of cutaneous malignancies. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in skin cancer diagnosis may alleviate potential care gaps. The aim of this systematic review was to offer an in-depth exploration of published AI algorithms trained on dermoscopic and macroscopic clinical images for the diagnosis of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, a systematic review was conducted on peer-reviewed articles published between January 1, 2000, and January 26, 2023. Among the 232 studies in this review, the overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of AI for tumor detection averaged 90%, 87%, and 91%, respectively. Model performance improved with time.

Despite seemingly impressive performance, the paucity of external validation and limited representation of cSCC and skin of color in the data sets limits the generalizability of the current models. In addition, dermatologists coauthored only 12.9% of all studies included in the review. Moving forward, it is imperative to prioritize robustness in data reporting, inclusivity in data collection, and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure the development of equitable and effective AI tools.

Reference:

Jairath, Neil MD*; Pahalyants, Vartan MD, MBA*; Shah, Rohan BS†; Weed, Jason MD*; Carucci, John A. MD, PhD*; Criscito, Maressa C. MD*. Artificial Intelligence in Dermatology: A Systematic Review of Its Applications in Melanoma and Keratinocyte Carcinoma Diagnosis. Dermatologic Surgery ():10.1097/DSS.0000000000004223, May 9, 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000004223