The report and analysis concerning the usefulness of basic telemedicine tools in the skin cancer diagnostic screening process during COVID-19 pandemics

INTRODUCTION: A rapid spread of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic limited the availability of professional medical advice. As a result, a significant increase in the number of undiagnosed and chronically ill patients without medical care was noticed. In reaction to the urgent need, the telemedical consultation, instead of the classical form, may be introduced as a vulnerable tool in preclinical evaluation of patients with potentially malignant skin lesions. AIM: In this study the results of the implementation of telemedical consultation programme with the intention to early detect the skin cancers in patients who, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, could not undergo the standard consultation was presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The programme of remote dermatological consultation, which was introduced on 1 June 2020, covered all patients who had no possibility or will to visit the standard healthcare units. In case of suspicion of life-threatening skin lesions patients were invited for additional diagnostics or surgery. Obtained data, including demography, age, surgery description and pathomorphological examination were descriptively analysed. RESULTS: In total, 80 consecutive patients were enrolled during the screening programme. In total, 31 lesions in 25 patients were excised. In this group there were 10 serious diagnoses including 5 cases of basal cell carcinoma, melanoma in situ and dysplastic nevi. Moreover, another 10 patients were referred to other specialists or specific recommendations were advised. CONCLUSIONS: An alternative track using teledermatology for patients with skin diseases was successfully introduced under the specific conditions of epidemiologic danger. Despite its disadvantages teledermatology enabled the diagnosis and treatment in a significant number of serious cases.