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We explored the capability of low-frequency Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) to noninvasively detect melanin (a stable semiquinone free radical) in the human skin. As previous in vitro studies on biopsies suggested that the EPR signal from melanin was different when measured in skin melanomas or benign nevi, we conducted a prospective first-in-man clinical EPR study in patients with skin lesions suspicious of melanoma. EPR spectra were obtained using a spectrometer operating at 1 GHz, with a surface coil placed over the area of interest. Two clinical studies were carried out: 1) healthy volunteers (n = 45) presenting different skin phototypes; 2) patients (n = 88) with skin lesions suspicious of melanoma (n = 100) requiring surgical resection. EPR data obtained before surgery were compared with histopathology results. The method was not sensitive enough to measure differences in melanin content due to changes in skin pigmentation. In patients, 92% of the spectra were analyzable. The EPR signal of melanin was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in melanoma lesions (n = 26) than that in benign atypical nevi (n = 62). A trend toward a higher signal intensity (though not significant) was observed in high Breslow depth melanomas (a marker of skin invasion) than in low Breslow lesions. To date, no naturally occurring free radicals have been detected by low-frequency EPR systems adapted for clinical studies. Here, we demonstrated for the first time the ability of this technology to detect an endogenous free radical, opening new avenues for evaluating clinical EPR as a potential aid in the diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions.

To improve early melanoma detection, educational programs have been developed for general practitioners (GPs). This study aimed to determine whether the adjunct of teaching basic knowledge of pigmented skin lesions (PSL) to the training in melanoma diagnosis improves the GPs' diagnostic accuracy of melanoma. An interventional prospective study was conducted over a 3-month period where GPs attended a 2-h training course. The 1st session taught clinical melanoma recognition and the 2nd session instructed basic knowledge of PSL. Prior to training, after the 1st, and after the 2nd session, GPs were asked to select the malignant or benign nature of 15 clinical images associated to their clinical history. In total, 56 GPs participated in this study. The number of GPs identifying correctly ≥ 50% of the melanomas increased the most after the 1st session from 15 (26.8%; CI = (15.2; 38.4)) to 44 (78.6%; CI = (67.8; 89.3)) GPs (P < 0.001). The number of GPs correctly identifying ≥ 50% of the benign PSL only increased after completing the entire training, going from 10 (17.9%; CI = [(7.8; 27.9)) GPs to 50 (89.3%; CI = (81.2; 97.4)) GPs (P < 0.001). In this study, GPs identified benign PSL most accurately after the 2nd session. This suggested that teaching GPs the basics of PSL would especially improve their diagnostic accuracy for benign PSL, which could reduce unnecessary referrals to dermatologists. Teaching basic knowledge of PSL in addition to melanoma recognition seemed to enable GPs to triage skin lesions more effectively than when they were only trained to recognize melanoma.

General practitioners (GPs) are first-line clinicians in melanoma diagnosis. It is, therefore, important to ensure that they maintain their melanoma diagnostic accuracy over time. The objective of this study was to assess the short- and long-term competences of GPs after a training session in naked-eye melanoma diagnosis. An interventional prospective study was conducted whereby, over a 6-month period, GPs attended a 1-h melanoma diagnostic training session. To assess their acquired competences, GPs were asked to fill in a questionnaire on basic melanoma knowledge and to evaluate 10 clinical images of pigmented skin lesions prior to training, immediately after and 1 year later. In total, 89 GPs completed the questionnaire prior and immediately after training. As expected, the number of GPs who appropriately managed \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\ge$$\end{document}≥ 50% of the melanoma cases increased after training (P

BackgroundGeneral practitioners (GPs) play a key role in early melanoma detection. To help GPs deal with suspicious skin lesions, melanoma diagnostic training programmes have been developed. However, it is unclear whether these programmes guarantee the acquisition of skills that will be applied by GPs in their daily clinical practice and maintained over time.ObjectivesThis scoping review aimed to examine and compare educational programmes designed to train GPs in melanoma diagnosis using clinical (naked eye) examination alone or dermoscopy±clinical examination, and sought to inform on the long-term sustainability of the GPs’ acquired skills.Eligibility criteriaStudies eligible for inclusion evaluated educational programmes for teaching diagnosis of melanoma to GPs. MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched for relevant articles from 1995 to May 2020.ResultsForty-five relevant articles were found assessing 31 educational programmes. Most programmes that improved the diagnostic accuracy and long-term performances of the GPs, that is, increase in confidence, decrease in dermatologist referral for benign skin lesions and improvement in the benign/malignant ratio of excised skin lesions, trained the GPs in clinical diagnosis, followed by dermoscopy. To maintain long-term performances, these programmes provided refresher training material.ConclusionThis review shows that studies generally report positive outcomes from the training of GPs in melanoma diagnosis. However, refresher training material seemed necessary to maintain the acquired skills. The optimal form and ideal frequency for these updates have yet to be defined.

To improve early melanoma detection, educational programs have been developed for general practitioners (GPs). This study aimed to determine whether the adjunct of teaching basic knowledge of pigmented skin lesions (PSL) to the training in melanoma diagnosis improves the GPs' diagnostic accuracy of melanoma. An interventional prospective study was conducted over a 3-month period where GPs attended a 2-h training course. The 1

BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) are among the main actors involved in early melanoma diagnosis. However, melanoma diagnostic accuracy and management are reported to be insufficient among GPs in Europe. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this observational prospective study was to shed light on melanoma diagnostic practices among French-speaking Belgian GPs. The second aim was to specifically analyse these GPs’ pigmented skin lesion diagnostic accuracy and management. METHODS: GPs from the five French-speaking districts of Belgium were asked to complete a questionnaire, before taking part in a melanoma diagnostic training session. First, we assessed the GPs’ current melanoma diagnostic practices. Then, their pigmented skin lesion diagnostic accuracy and management were evaluated, through basic theoretical questions and clinical images. These results were subsequently analysed, according to the GPs’ socio-demographic characteristics and medical practice type. RESULTS: In total, 89 GPs completed the questionnaire. Almost half of the GPs (43%; CI=33;54) were confronted with a suspicious skin lesion as the main reason for consultation once every three months, while 33% (CI=24;43) were consulted for a suspicious lesion as a secondary reason once a month. Prior to training, one-third of the GPs exhibited suboptimal diagnostic accuracy in at least one of six “life-threatening” clinical cases among two sets of 10 clinical images of pigmented skin lesions, which can lead to inadequate patient management (i.e., incorrect treatment and/or inappropriate reinsurance). Conclusion: This study underlines the need to train GPs in melanoma diagnosis. GPs’ pigmented skin lesion diagnostic accuracy and management should be improved to increase early melanoma detection.