Amsterdam, 28/09/2024.
Dr. Josep Malvehy, from the Dermatology Department at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, delivered comprehensive presentations during the 2024 EADV Conference, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and technological advancements in skin cancer detection.
The presentation highlighted the rapidly evolving role of AI and how it is reshaping the field of dermatology by improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes, particularly in melanoma detection.
Dr. Malvehy began by discussing the current challenges in skin cancer diagnostics, emphasizing the limitations of traditional methods such as visual inspection and dermoscopy. He pointed out that while these methods have proven effective, they still leave room for improvement, especially when detecting early-stage melanomas. He introduced AI as a key solution to these challenges, showcasing its ability to process and analyze large volumes of medical images with high precision. AI, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), has demonstrated superior or equivalent performance to dermatologists in various studies focused on melanoma detection.
A major theme of the presentations was the application of total body photography (TBP) combined with digital dermoscopy, supported by AI, to enhance the monitoring of high-risk patients. Dr. Malvehy explained how AI-driven systems can continuously monitor skin lesions, flagging suspicious changes that may indicate the development of melanoma. He also emphasized the importance of combining clinical data, genomic information, and imaging—an approach closely aligned with the iToBoS project, which aims to integrate multimodal data for more accurate and personalized melanoma detection. The project’s holistic approach reflects the shift toward personalized diagnostics in dermatology.
Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) was another key technology discussed. Dr. Malvehy highlighted how RCM allows for non-invasive, real-time cellular-level imaging of the skin, reducing the need for unnecessary biopsies. In combination with AI algorithms, RCM has shown great promise in enhancing the diagnostic accuracy of melanoma by providing additional layers of data that clinicians can use to make informed decisions.
However, the presentation also touched on the challenges associated with the widespread adoption of AI technologies in dermatology. Dr. Malvehy emphasized the need for further clinical trials and real-world testing to validate these systems. Ethical considerations, such as ensuring transparency in AI decision-making and addressing potential biases in training data, were also discussed. He underscored the importance of regulatory oversight, particularly with the new European Medical Device Regulation, which mandates stricter requirements for medical devices, including AI-driven diagnostic tools.
In conclusion, Dr. Malvehy expressed optimism about the future of AI and technology in dermatology. By integrating advanced imaging techniques with AI, dermatologists can significantly improve the early detection of skin cancers, reduce unnecessary procedures, and provide more personalized care. The iToBoS project is expected to play a central role in this transformation by refining and validating multimodal diagnostic approaches.
Also, on September 26, 2024, J. Malvehy led an interactive workshop titled “Playing with AI in Dermatology”.
Find out more at EADV Congress 2024 | Amsterdam 25-28 September | eadv.org.